Peacock power puts strut back

Kear faced with a selection dilemma for knockout stages after 12-try demolition outclasses forlorn Fijians

England duly advanced into the quarter-finals of the Lincoln Financial World Cup with what was, even allowing for the deficiencies of the opposition, an impressive work-out. A 12-try demolition of a side whose tackling technique was ruthlessly exposed and who conceded far too many penalties will send England on to the next stage, also at Headingley next Saturday, in good heart.

England duly advanced into the quarter-finals of the Lincoln Financial World Cup with what was, even allowing for the deficiencies of the opposition, an impressive work-out. A 12-try demolition of a side whose tackling technique was ruthlessly exposed and who conceded far too many penalties will send England on to the next stage, also at Headingley next Saturday, in good heart.

"We took a massive step forward today," said their coach John Kear. "I was very happy with our defensive formation. Although they scored two tries I thought we handled them very well for most of the game."

Among Kear's obvious successes were Jamie Peacock, the young Bradford second rower who could be needed for the quarter-finals if more experienced players are still struggling with injuries. Peacock scored a hat-trick of tries for good measure.

Tony Smith, the converted half-back who played the whole game at hooker, gave Kear a selection dilemma with a man-of-the-match performance, while Paul Wellens stood out with his assured display on the right wing.

The Fijians began with a warning of the sort of rugby they could produce given the leeway. Their captain and full back, Lote Tuqiri, who had already dealt magnificently with an Andy Farrell bomb, broke through on the right, kicked and regathered and got his pass away to the supporting Setareki Rakabula.

The centre was hauled down by a combination of Kris Radlinski and Sean Long, but it was a timely reminder of the ability of one of the best players in the tournament. It was swiftly set in context, however, by two English tries that showed the other side of the Fijian equation - their naïvedefence.

Tony Smith found Andy Hay, who threw a dummy and found an inviting gap and then Long's pass picked out Paul Wellens on the wing. The versatile St Helens player's finishing was impeccable, good news for England on a day when a second scan on Leon Pryce's shoulder injury finally ruled him out of the rest of the World Cup. Farrell kicked both goals, the second of them from the touchline, to continue England's flying start.

Long's cunningly delayed pass sent Jamie Peacock racing off his shoulder for the third English try, again improved by Farrell, but, just as they had against Australia, Fiji showed the ability to score points against the prevailing tide. Their only player with experience of English club rugby, Waisale Sovatabua, put in a low kick that Stuart Spruce should have gathered comfortably, but the full-back coughed up possession for Eparama Navale to give Fiji the encouragement of a try.

England's reply was a spectacular try in which Wellens again figured prominently. He leapt out of a crowd of four Fijians to claim Paul Deacon's high kick and did even better to flick the ball up as he crashed to the ground for Scott Naylor to force his way over.

It was England playing with the tropical flair, Smith's wriggling run and pass over the top giving Radlinski the chance to power over, Farrell missing the target for the only time in the half.

Four minutes before half-time, a simple move along the back line ended with Radlinski laying on a first try of the tournament for Darren Rogers and there was still time in the first half for Peacock to drive over.

The first try of the second half came from the hugely impressive Wellens, who picked a difficult pass from Smith up off his boot laces and beat two would be tacklers to reach the corner.

After a brief spell of Fijian pressure featuring another wonderful run from the highly impressive Tuqiri, England got moving again with Rogers' second try, again set up by Radlinski who scored thanks to the Castleford winger's strength and determination near to the Fiji line.

Deacon then romped through the middle and his pass to Smith took the score beyond the half-century mark. Naylor even had a try disallowed before Farrell went through for a touchdown to add to his eventual tally of nine successful goal kicks.

One of the biggest cheers of a good-natured afternoon, though, was reserved for Kalaveti Tuiyabayaba's break and Tuqiri's try which was improved by Atunaisa Vunivalu, with five minutes left to play. There was still time though for Peacock to plough over for his third try in injury time, Farrell's final goal enabling England to match Australia's score against the Fijians earlier in the week. "They are just about on a par" said the Fiji coach Don Furner. "My team hung in there and tried their hardest. No coach could ask more of players than that."

England: Spruce; Wellens, Naylor, Radlinski, Rogers; Long, Deacon; Stephenson, Smith, Anderson, Peacock, Hay, Farrell. Substitutes used: Sinfield, Walker, Fielden, Howard.

Fiji: Tuqiri; Vakararawa, Rakabula, Navale, Bolakoro; Sovatabua, Tuiyabayaba; Vakatawa, Robart, Cakacaka, Wawavamia, Valelala, Vunivalu. Substitutes used: Tokarei, Lasagavibau, Matakamikamica, Vuniyayawa.

Referee: T Alibert (France).