England maintained a narrow 14–13 lead over Fiji at halftime during their captivating match at Allianz Stadium, which saw both teams exhibit moments of brilliance along with costly mistakes.
Fiji made an impressive start, with Caleb Muntz scoring a spectacular try following slick offloads from Jiuta Wainiqolo and Pita Gus Sowakula. Muntz later added a penalty, raising Fiji’s lead to 13–7 after England’s initial score from Luke Cowan-Dickie. However, handling errors and a lack of cohesion from the English side hampered their early momentum.
A turning point came just before halftime when Fiji’s winger Selestino Ravutaumada was sin-binned for a reckless challenge on Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. England quickly capitalized on the numerical advantage; Fin Smith executed a precise cross-field kick that allowed Feyi-Waboso to score with poise, regaining the lead for England after Smith converted the try.
As the teams head into the second half, Fiji will look to regroup while England aims to tighten their control over the contest. This closely contested match not only showcases thrilling on-field action but also gives Fiji an opportunity to demonstrate their development and tactical growth in international rugby. Following a narrow 30-24 loss to England during the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, the Flying Fijians are striving for redemption and a solid performance on this significant stage.
Kickoff for the second half promises more excitement as both teams look to assert their dominance and secure victory. With players demonstrating remarkable skill and tenacity, fans can expect an exhilarating conclusion to this compelling matchup.