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England's Genge eager to face All Blacks after Fiji win / Photo: © AFP
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England's Genge eager to face All Blacks after Fiji win
Ellis Genge is eager to face New Zealand next weekend after England set themselves up for their latest clash with the All Blacks by beating Fiji 38-18 at Twickenham on Saturday.
"We're over the moon to have won nine in a row but it gets very tough next week against New Zealand who are one of the best sides in the world," said the England co-captain.
"We look forward to that. Can't wait. I love playing against the best in the world."
Genge scored one of six England tries as they pulled away after only leading 14-13 at half-time.
England's winning streak is a sharp upturn after seven defeats in 11 games in 2024, including five in a row and three in succession at Twickenham.
They lost three Tests against New Zealand last year, albeit by a combined deficit of just 10 points.
"We went through a bit of a tough period casting my mind back a year or so," said prop forward Genge.
"The walls close in a little bit from the outside but the belief has always been there. Internally, you plan to win games and it doesn't always go that way. It can be the toss of a coin sometimes."
Fiji were in contention to repeat their 2023 Twickenham triumph at half-time on Saturday after two tries by captain Tevita Ikanivere and one by Caleb Muntz.
"They are a high offload team and I thought we did well to get back behind the ball when they made line-breaks," Genge said.
Genge, who plays alongside Fiji stars Kalaveti Ravouvou and Viliame Mata at English club Bristol, added: "They are a team full of absolute mavericks and they have got lightning bolts everywhere."
Fiji coach Mick Byrne, meanwhile, rued a score by Simione Kuruvoli disallowed for knocking on the ball on.
"Sort of lost a bit of momentum there," said Byrne. "At no stage did it leave from under his body and it just went from one arm to the other, total control."
But Byrne, whose side next play France, added: "That's not the reason we lost."
The Australian instead highlighted England's bench strength.
"England have changed their finishing powers over the last couple of years," he said. "And I think they've scored more points in their last quarter than any other quarter of the game. So, full credit to them."
M. Taylor--BTZ
