Autumn Nations Series | Best of social as Fiji make history at Twickenham

by Ben Hart

Fiji’s first ever win over England sent shockwaves across the globe and social media was awash with praise for Simon Raiwalui’s history-making side.

The Flying Fijians lived up to their nickname at Twickenham, soaring to a victory which will live long in the memory while earning the current crop immortal status in their homeland.

Fellow Pacific Islanders Samoa gave Ireland a scare in Dublin, while Scotland were also made to work by Georgia as Italy stormed past Japan.

All roads lead to the World Cup in France but before we say au revoir to the Summer Nations Series, let’s take a look at how the world reacted to an unforgettable day.

FIJI BREAK ENGLAND CURSE

Fiji had failed to beat England in any of their seven meetings prior to Saturday’s encounter, conceding at least 25 points in each game.

But it was the Fijian attack which proved unstoppable on this occasion, with their three second-half tries an exemplary display of pace and power.

HISTORY👊#FIJIWaterFlyingFijians #duavataveilomanirakavi pic.twitter.com/XDAj2CBg7n

— Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugby) August 26, 2023

They trailed at half-time after Jonny May’s trademark corner score but responded emphatically through Waisea Nayacalevu, Vinaya Habosi and Simione Kuruvoli to move ahead of their hosts in the world rankings.

FIJIAN FOLKLORE🇫🇯💣

Fiji beat England for the first time in the fixture's history!

Final score: England 22-30 Fiji pic.twitter.com/olrGfGEMCk

— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) August 26, 2023

Can we stop taking about England and start appreciating Fiji and what they’ve just achieved two weeks out from the RWC!!. Wow just wow!! Super proud of the men!. #engvfij 🇫🇯🇫🇯❤️❤️❤️

— nemzy (@nemani_nadolo) August 26, 2023

The eruption of Fiji fan joy when the final whistle confirmed their 30-22 win over England. #FijiRugby #ENGvFIJ #SummerNationsSeries #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/G6Z6jCtRFE

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 26, 2023

Leaving everything else aside, it was genuinely just so nice to see Fiji get that win yesterday.

Style, flair, passion, underdog status.

Impossible not to root for them <3 pic.twitter.com/x3uXb2JFrD

— Graham Love (@glove931) August 27, 2023

Here's an interesting stat.

Every single outside back for Fiji carried over 50m.

11 to 15.

Dont often see that.

— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) August 26, 2023

World Cup warm-ups might not matter, but what Fiji are doing today is special. This is incredible.

— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) August 26, 2023

It was a difficult afternoon for England, but one which began with plenty of cheer and optimism when Courtney Lawes led the side out for his 100th cap.

What a moment 😁

Congratulations @Courtney_Lawes 👏@o2 | #WearTheRose pic.twitter.com/MLgU3CnxSy

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) August 26, 2023

Proud Club alert 🖤💚💛

The remarkable @Courtney_Lawes leads England out at Twickenham for his 100th cap. pic.twitter.com/h3p29vljxf

— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) August 26, 2023

So 100 caps for @Courtney_Lawes – some achievement – some man!! Just have a feeling we will see a very different England today. 🤞🤞🌹❤️

— Will Carling (@willcarling) August 26, 2023

Congratulations @fijirugby “paaak” – gutted we couldn’t get the result for @Courtney_Lawes 💯- huge milestone for a top player. Thanks to the fans for your support, we will try and do better in France x

— Joe Marler (@JoeMarler) August 26, 2023

Big congratulations to @fijirugby on a historic win.

To all the @EnglandRugby fans *supporting* us, we know we’re not where we need to be at all right now. We will get there, stick with us through the dark, thanks for the love we appreciate it.

— Gengey (@EllisGenge) August 27, 2023

SAMOA RUN IRELAND CLOSE

Having seen their neighbours get the better of England, Samoa set out to do the same against Ireland a little later in the day and came within a score of toppling the world’s number one ranked side.

While the result did not go Samoa’s way, their performance offered much encouragement ahead of the World Cup.

Heck of a test match
Left it all out there

Thank you @IrishRugby
Always a pleasure #folaufaatasi #manusamoa pic.twitter.com/QuSWhdrYt8

— Manu Samoa (@manusamoa) August 26, 2023

Samoa lead at the break😎

Samoa intercept to score towards the end of the first half before a penalty nudges them ahead!

Catch the second half on Prime Video: https://t.co/3tOxvNtLh0 pic.twitter.com/kIb6hiBBwF

— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) August 26, 2023

Samoa only conceded 6 penalties against Ireland.

That's a brilliant number.

Most teams concede between 8 and 11 ish.

A sign that their set piece and defensive structure wasn't under any significant stress.

— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) August 26, 2023

Close but no cigar. Ireland rugby showing why they’re number 1. Appreciate the support from the locals to Samoa 🇼🇸 #685 to the world

— Steven Luatua (@StevenLuatua) August 26, 2023

DUHAN DOUBLE GIVES BUTLER CAUSE TO SMILE

Scotland rounded off their World Cup preparations with a hard-fought victory over Georgia, and they did so in front of an extra special guest at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

🤩 We see you @GerardButler 😎 #SummerNationsSeries #SCOGEO pic.twitter.com/y2cQcVYYB4

— Summer Nations Series (@autumnnations) August 26, 2023

Record-breaking support from all 5⃣4⃣,2⃣1⃣2⃣ of you at @MurrayfieldStad 💙#AsOne pic.twitter.com/P6yMa6M31d

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) August 26, 2023

Try 1⃣ v Georgia, 2020
Tries 1⃣9⃣ & 2⃣0⃣ v Georgia, 2023

How time flies, @duhanvdmerwe.#AsOne pic.twitter.com/osIa2GvJ6S

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) August 26, 2023

IOANE INSPIRES ITALY PAST JAPAN

The individual star of the day was Monty Ioane as his hat-trick fired Italy past Japan in Treviso.

Having not featured for the Azzurri since November, he has now started each of their last four fixtures, scoring five tries and underlining what he brings to Kieran Crowley’s side.

Ioane + Capuozzo + Ioane = meta 🏉

📹 @primevideosport #SummerNationsSeries #ITAJPN pic.twitter.com/FUs47d8OLY

— Summer Nations Series (@autumnnations) August 26, 2023

Monty Ioane v Japan

⏰ 80 Minutes
🏃 137 Meters
🔮 6 Defenders Beaten
💨 1 Breaks
💪 11 Carries
💥 2 Tackles
🏉 3 tries pic.twitter.com/lSCAtbz9K2

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) August 26, 2023

It's so good to see Monty Ioane back with Italy. They have some quality options in the back 3#ITAvJPN

— Adam Moursy (@adammoursy) August 26, 2023

BIGGAR BIDS FAREWELL

There was some unexpected news from the Wales camp as Dan Biggar announced his decision to retire from international rugby following the World Cup.

It will be a fitting stage for the fly-half to bow out on, having carved his name into Welsh rugby folklore with one iconic kick during the 2015 World Cup.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Dan Biggar yn ymddeol o rygbi rhyngwladol wedi Cwpan y Byd.⁰⁰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Dan Biggar has announced that he will be calling time on his international career after the Rugby World Cup⁰⁰What's your best memory of Dan in a Welsh jersey so far? pic.twitter.com/6UDZGXqoCL

— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@WelshRugbyUnion) August 26, 2023

Ice in the veins 🧊

The kick at RWC 2015 against England that secured Dan Biggar's place in Welsh rugby folklore #RWC2023 | @WelshRugbyUnion pic.twitter.com/jdMpQDOB0k

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) August 26, 2023

PENAUD SPARKLES IN FRANCE WIN

And last but by no means least, the latest entrant to the Damian Penaud highlight reel.

If ever there was a try to get you off your seat, it was his chip and chase in France’s 41-19 win over Australia.

There’s very few players in world rugby who can do things like this.

And none who make it look as easy as Penaud.#FRAvAUS pic.twitter.com/MCfyBCR9Bm

— Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) August 27, 2023