How twitter reacted to England’s World Cup opening win over Fiji
Published:
It was by no means the perfect England performance in their World Cup opener at Twickenham, but in the end a vital victory over a well-drilled Fiji side was made sweeter by a last-gasp try, ensuring the hosts nicked a precious bonus point.
After England had raced into a 15-0 lead by capitalising on some Fijian daydreaming, the match transpired to be anything but the one-sided contest the early exchanges promised.
England were poor at the breakdown and in the scrum and had Fiji not wasted three straightforward penalties in the second half it could have been 18-17 to Stuart Lancaster’s men with only quarter of an hour to play.
As it was, Twickenham nerves were eventually settled with successive England tries in the last 10 minutes, firstly through man-of-the-match Mike Brown and secondly through substitute Billy Vunipola, who scrambled it over the line with the last act of the match.
Chris Robshaw and co will have to improve after a disjointed display, but having put five points on the board in Pool A, they are the early favourites to progress as winners, with Wales, Australia and Uruguay still to come.
Here’s how twitter reacted to the rollercoaster ride:
World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward got his army of followers in the mood for the big occasion
Twickenham v expectant for the game tonight + opening ceremony will be amazing – Olympic feel to all this -brilliant pic.twitter.com/Vssu6FQ4KK
— Sir Clive Woodward (@CliveWoodward) September 18, 2015
Indy Sport also do their bit to get the millions of viewers at home in patriotic mode
The teams are out! Follow England v Fiji live https://t.co/uFBrWbwlty #ENG #FJI #RugbyWorldCup #WearTheRose pic.twitter.com/uLtVybgEjw
— Indy Sport (@IndySport) September 18, 2015
Into the action and former England skipper Will Carling isn’t fussed by how England get over the line
for their try
"Line out drive exactly what England needed. Some will say not pretty, but who cares! Provoked a pena…" https://t.co/UE5j9OrBeN
— Will Carling (@willcarling) September 18, 2015
The “Queen” offers her royal advice to Stuart Lancaster and the boys
Message for England: "Win. Regards, The Queen". #ENGvFIJ
— Elizabeth Windsor (@Queen_UK) September 18, 2015
Commentating on BCC radio 5 Live, former All-Blacks fly-half is less than impressed with some of
the officiating
Andrew Mehrtens isn't happy with the officiating at #ENGvFIJ tonight…
https://t.co/q5fCSegISz
#bbcrugby #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/pOapSG9MOb
— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) September 18, 2015
ESPN’s Greg Growden has his say on the controversial cancelling out of a first-half Fiji try
Fiji should have been allowed their controversial non-try, says @GregGrowden. VIDEO: https://t.co/Kaof07uVrO via @espnscrum #ENGvFIJ
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 18, 2015
And as England finish the half much the poorer side, this a theme shared by Wales legend Jonathan Davies
HT: Referee put your whistle in your pocket…
#RWC2015 #ENGvFJI https://t.co/K7gYiR8AjB
— Jonathan Davies (@JiffyRugby) September 18, 2015
Substitutes such a Sam Burgess begin to have an impact in the second half
.@bathrugby's @SamBurgess8 makes an impact in the 2nd half #ENGvFIJ pic.twitter.com/xRZkTraiEq
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) September 18, 2015
As the brilliant Mike Brown relieves some pressure with his second try late on England fans can
start to relax
After a brilliant performance, @QuinsRugbyUnion @mikebrown_15 is tonight's man of the match #ENGvFIJ #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/X58pxsOHCL
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) September 18, 2015
Finally, after much deliberating Billy Vunipola’s try is awarded at the death
TRY! #ENG 33-11 #FJI
Vunipola over the line. Several minutes of replays decide it was legitimate
#bbcrugby #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/DqwMkb5xxZ
— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) September 18, 2015
The official British And Irish Lions account is one of the first to offer congratulations
Congrats @EnglandRugby on your 35-11 win over @fijirugby – some great images from Day 1 of @rugbyworldcup #ENGvFIJ pic.twitter.com/iq0mnDBii0
— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) September 18, 2015
As is BBC journalist Alice Baxter who is clealry excited for much more to come from England
Well done #England So excited for the rest of the tournament now #ENGvFIJ @rugbyworldcup @EnglandRugby
— Alice Baxter (@bbcbaxter) September 19, 2015
Other celebrities from more surprising quarters also offer praise to the England lads
What a great night! @antanddec @EnglandRugby pic.twitter.com/dajJ6qvVVI
— Andi Peters (@andipeters) September 18, 2015
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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