England dispatch Fiji at Twickenham

We have to make sure we have a game we can play under any conditions, whether they be a typhoon, a monsoon, a hurricane, snow, 35C or 85% humidity. World Rugby has finally begun taking steps to address this, with the possibility of a Fijian/pacific island Super Rugby franchise apparently in development (after writing that sentence the Fijian Rugby Union have gone on record saying they had no idea a Fijian Super Rugby franchise was in development).

“Ten weeks of hearing “bro” seven million times and getting to understand everything about New Zealand rugby”.

Meanwhile, Jones revealed he will not stand in the way of forwards coach Steve Borthwick if he is selected as a member of Warren Gatland’s staff when the British and Irish Lions tour New Zealand next year.

One of the joys of reading your rugby correspondent is the frequency with which he shoots himself in the foot, the latest example being “the difference in tempo with which these two teams tried to play made you realise many Welsh players would be better off playing in a competition played faster and harder than their own domestic rugby”.

Semesa Rokoduguni, Jonathan Joseph and Joe Launchbury grabbed a brace each as England racked up nine tries in a 58-15 demolition of Fiji at Twickenham.

Eddie Jones’s 12th successive Test victory is the second longest winning streak in England’s history, leaving them two short of the 14 games set in 2002-03.

“It doesn’t mean fish and chips is basic”, he said.

“I don’t think there is any advantage in it”. The ball movement, crispness of passing was fantastic.

Jones, in a reference to the notoriously strong drink brewed in Fiji, said Saturday was no time for a “kava party”. “He’s really got that raw x-factor that not a lot of players have”. Your family, extended family and everyone you know back home in the village will benefit from a player going overseas on a big deal. “Everybody wants to play the ideal game but when you do that you may as well retire. We haven’t done that”.

In Cardiff, replacement fly half Sam Davies’ last-gasp drop goal gave Wales a 33-30 win over a feisty Japan side in a thrilling test at the Principality stadium.

Fiji coach John McKee was impressed by England’s performance, but the Kiwi refused to be drawn on whether he believes they are good enough to dethrone New Zealand.

“The Japanese cry when they win and they cry when they lose, so there will be plenty of tears”, he said.

If Jones had given his side a halftime rocket over their defensive lapses they obviously were not listening as fullback Metuisela Talebula charged through soft tackles to score seven minutes after the restart. England picked their preferred 23 for the start of their first home tournament since 1991 and put in what was perceived as a disjointed and stuttering effort, even though they achieved a bonus point win against a Fijian side strengthened with all its best European and Antipodean-based stars.