In the first half Fiji thought they had the edge over England when the dangerous Selesitino Ravutaumada cracked the backline open and fed captain Waisea Nayacalevu for a try, only to see it chalked off for a forward pass. However, early in the second fans got to see 14-man Fiji punish England.

With loosehead prop Eroni Mawi in the sin-bin, that Ravutaumada-Nayacalevu combo struck again.

With loose ball, Semi Radradra flung it wide to Ravutaumada. He stutter-stepped, getting opposite man Jonny May flat-footed, and as he brushed past him and cut infield, he fed Nayacalevu who raced clear.

It was a deserved moment of excellence, with the Fijians playing with more adventure than England despite horrid conditions. For large swathes of the first half – with rain pouring down – the ball was sent airborne time and again. However, Fiji wanted to show some ambition.

Ironically, the floodgates opened and Fiji pored through for a second on minute 52. This time Vinaya Habosi had the score.

With Caleb Muntz converting, the scoreline became 17-8 to the visitors and soon after Muntz got a penalty to make it 20-8. Fiji fans began to ream about beating England for the first time in their history. Could Fiji punish England in the worst way possible?

Substitute Marcus Smith got England a try almost right away and with a snapshot conversion from George Ford, it was game on. Suddenly the match had more urgency and zip. The sun was out, and both sides were attacking with intent.

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