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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Robert Kitson at Twickenham

‘Gap is closing’: Fiji coach celebrates beating England as Borthwick laments

Fiji celebrate after Vinaya Habosi scores a try in their 30-22 victory against England at Twickenham
Fiji celebrate after Vinaya Habosi scores a try in their 30-22 victory against England at Twickenham. Photograph: Andrew Fosker/Inpho/Shutterstock

Fiji’s head coach, Simon Raiwalui, believes the balance of power in world rugby is shifting fundamentally after his side’s history-making win at Twickenham. England’s 30-22 defeat could see them drop to their lowest world ranking of ninth next week, with Fiji now certain to be ranked above them going into next month’s Rugby World Cup.

As with his opposite number, Steve Borthwick, the 48-year-old Raiwalui is an ex-Saracens forward who was parachuted in as his country’s head coach this year. The similarities presently end there with Fiji steadily growing in strength and confidence while England have now lost six of their nine Tests under Borthwick this year.

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