We will have seen the giant Maro Itoje get turned around. We will also have seen the pruning shears Courtney Lawes get shaken on a bleeding double tackle. But it was England who won their ticket to the semi-finals this Sunday in Marseille by beating Fiji (30-24). More precisely, Owen Farrell’s teammates scored two tries in the first period thanks to Tuilagi (14th) then Marchant (23rd) while the Flying Fijians had reduced the score thanks to Mata. In the second half, the Fijians scored two tries through Ravai (64th) then Botitu (68th) but Owen Farrell, at the foot, was decisive. The XV de la Rose will face the winner of the last quarter-final, which will pit the XV of France against the Springboks this Sunday evening (9 p.m.).
How will Fiji perform? The answer to this question is undoubtedly difficult to find because the men of the Pacific are capable of the best and the worst. And at the start of the game, Simon Raiwalui’s men suffered. After Owen Farrell opened the scoring on a penalty (11th), scorer Frank Lomani missed the target twice against the poles. The English were more realistic by scoring two tries thanks to Tuilagi in force (14th) then by the future Stade Français player, Joe Marchant (23rd). Despite the try from Fijian Viliame Mata (28th) while his team was playing at 14 following the yellow card inflicted on Vinaya Habosi, gunner Owen Farrell scored two additional penalties before the break.
The second half was much messier. The Fijians, still as feverish with the ball in hand and still as undisciplined, conceded a penalty from Owen Farrell (54th). In a tense match despite the comfortable lead of the English, the match became tense with a clash between Curry and Botia. Before the Flying Fijians woke up by scoring two tries. The first on a charge from Peni Ravai (64th) then the second four minutes later by Vilimoni Botitu after superb work from Radradra and Nasilasila. At this point in the match, the Pacific Warriors are back tied. This is the moment chosen by Owen Farrell to score a drop which gives his team the advantage (72nd) then a penalty (78th). At the end of a suspenseful end to the match and with a final scratch from Lawes, England takes out Fiji and awaits France or South Africa in the last four.
