England’s rugby team faced a different kind of challenge in their match with Fiji this afternoon: apathy.
Many expected a low turnout, with the Rugby Football Union allegedly giving away free tickets in an attempt to shore up attendance at Twickenham.
Tickets for the game ranged from £70-100, prompting frustration among fans who see the cost as being too steep for what some consider a “less glamorous” fixture.
Despite early concerns about turnout, the atmosphere around the stadium was livelier than expected.
From midday, a steady stream of fans flowed toward the stadium, easing fears of empty stands.
Among them was Ben, a dedicated supporter who has flown in from Fiji to follow the team’s tour across Europe.
After watching them in Scotland earlier this year, he plans to continue on to Bordeaux for next week’s match against France. He was also at Twickenham for Fiji’s famous win in 2023 and was hopeful for another surprise victory.
He said: “There’s always a strong Fijian crowd. We rarely play at home because the main stadium only holds about 15,000 people.”
Others have travelled in from around the UK to show their support.
Turu, 53, a military storeman from Hereford has come for the weekend just to see the game.
Eroni, 37, who works in security, has also made the trip to Twickenham from Preston, Lancashire. Both believe turnout among Fijian fans will be strong.
Ilisavani Nasemira, from Southampton, said: “The Fijian community here is big and tight-knit. A lot of Fijians in the UK serve in the British Armed Forces, so you see a lot of familiar faces at these matches. Rugby is very popular in Fiji. Everyone plays a bit back home.”
Outside the stadium, Fijians greeted each other warmly – pictured above – taking photos and catching up before the game.
For many, ticket prices haven’t been a deterrent. Turu paid £70, Eroni £65, both calling it reasonable.
Even English fans appear to be largely unbothered by the cost.
Lisa Harrison, 43, was visiting from Plymouth with her family, all decked out in England-branded clothing. She paid under £100 for the ticket, which she considered a reasonable price.
She said: “I’d love to see the New Zealand game, especially the Haka, but those tickets are just too expensive.”
For others, like Mike, 47, a CEO from Southampton, the match is more of a social event.
He said: “We go once or twice a year. It’s a great excuse to catch up with mates, have a few drinks, watch some rugby, then have a few more drinks.”
The last time England met Fiji at Twickenham, in a warm-up ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the upper tiers of the Allianz stadium were closed and attendance hovered at just over 40,000 – half of the stadium’s 82,000 capacity.
That day, Fiji stunned England with a historic 30-22 victory, their first ever win against the hosts.
But the view this year is different. England are currently riding the high of an impressive eight-match win streak, and are fresh off the back of a convincing 25-7 victory against Australia last week. On top of that, the last time the two met at the quarter finals of the Rugby World Cup in Marseille in 2023, the Three Lions secured a narrow victory against the Pacific Islanders.
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