Close but England sends Fiji out of the Rugby World Cup

It was a case of close but yet so far again for the Flying Fijians as they went down 30-24 to England in the third quarter-final at the Rugby World Cup in Marseille on Monday morning.

With the scores tied at 24-all midway into the second half following two comeback tries, the Flying Fijians threw all they had into the game.

• Look back at how the match unfolded with RNZ Pacific's updates

But the English defence stood and Owen Farrell took control of dictating the flow of the game, variating his kicks for touch and chips.

He punished Fiji with a drop goal and a penalty to steal the game in the second half, to finish the game with a collection of 17 points.

Peni Ravai and Vilimoni Botitu had scored two successive tries for the Fijians, with fans sensing an upset was on the way, in the second half.

However, the Fijians could not convert their last opportunity in injury time after they were given a penalty.

The ensuing lineout saw them drive towards the English line but they were found lacking when they held the ball on the ground as England threw tacklers in to gain possession in the breakdown.

Two tries in the first half and a personal tally of 11 points by Owen Farrell gave England a handy 21-10 lead at half-time of the clash.

Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant touched down for England in the first 40 minutes, with Farrell adding a conversion and three penalties.

Fiji hit back with big Viliame Mata scoring from in front but the side gave away too many penalties.

Frank Lomani missed two penalty attempts but succeeded with a conversion and a penalty from in front.

England made more metres on attack in the first 40 minutes, although both sides were levelled on the battle for possession.

French referee Mathieu Raynal flashed the yellow card to Fijian winger Vinaya Habosi and Fiji were down one man.

But they scored a try in that period, following some quick drives with the ball.

Tough game

Farrell, later named Man of the Match, said the game was tough as they had expected.

"They are a tough, tough team that can turn it on in the blink of an eye," Farrell said.

"I thought we started the game really well. We really got after it in that first half. We always knew Fiji were going to have some good patches and they did."

Fijian head coach Simon Raiwalui said he was proud of the team, despite the result.

"Bit speechless at the moment. I couldn't be prouder of the boys," Raiwalui said after the game.

"We've worked so hard from week one, 15 weeks now and they've shown where we belong on the world stage.

"The whole group, 33 players, 52 in total with the staff, it's a bit of an emotional moment at the moment."

He said the team was on the right track, building towards 2027, where Fiji has already automatically qualified for.

"This is a different Fiji team. I think it is just the start of something special. They wanted to create a new identity, I think they have done that," he said.

"A couple of mistakes today, didn't take our chances and we paid for it. But like I said, couldn't be prouder."

Captain Waisea Nayacalevu thanked the players for their effort, not only today, but throughout the Rugby World Cup and the fans for their support.

"I am not perfect, I am not a perfect man but I try to be perfect and I want to say I am really proud of the team today and the effort," he said.

"Even though we fell short I am proud of the team, the coaching staff, management, our pastor. What a proud moment for us to be here.

"I am so gutted we fell short. I want to thank our supporters here in the grandstand and our supporters back home.

"Thank you for all your support throughout this tournament. It's not easy for us as well but we keep fighting, we fight until the end and I want to give you guys the glory and thank you for supporting us and guiding us and praying for us all throughout this tournament and for our families thank you very much for your ongoing support."

Nayacalevu said the message to the team was to keep their basics right after the two teams were tied at 24-all.

"I told the boys to keep to our basics, keep the ball, as long as we keep the ball we can get opportunity at the end," he said.

"Unfortunately, some calls didn't go our way but that's rugby, hey. I am proud of my boys, been together a long time. Bit of mixed emotion as well, where we've come (from), where we are."

Borthwick applauds Fiji

England coach Steve Borthwick applauded Fiji, and said it was a tough battle England had to come through.

"An immense credit to players for dealing with it. But what a performance by Fiji, not just tonight but this World Cup," Borthwick said.

"What a team they are. Well coached and jam-packed with world class talent. We knew it was going to be a tough game and it was.

"For large parts of the game we controlled it. There was a spell when Fiji scored back-to-back tries which Fiji can do well, probably better than anyone else in the world."

Fijian fans had come from around Europe for the game, joined by those from France, Argentina, Wales, Chile, Japan and Australia.

The Fijians will return home this week, with most of their Europe based players returning to their clubs in France, England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

The team had to deal with deaths within their ranks, following the death of Josua Tuisova's son and Samuel Matavesi's dad.

They managed two wins and three losses at the 2023 edition of the Rugby World Cup.