The chariot was stuck in second gear for over an hour before swinging low and hard in the final 15 minutes.
England were 10 points clear of a dogged Fijian side going into the final quarter before two late tries sealed a 35-11 bonus point win.
Here’s how we rated the hosts.
Mike Brown – 8
England’s stand-out player, he took his two tries well and looked solid in defence. Did well to prevent Nikola Matawalu’s try.
To break down Brown’s stats – he scored two tries, made 172 metres off 15 carries, made four clean breaks, beat nine Fijian defenders and successfully offloaded twice. In defence, he secured a turnover and landed his two attempted tackles.
Remarkable stuff.
Anthony Watson – 6
He was good in attack, especially in chasing George Ford’s kicks. Still, his positioning for kicks defensively left a lot to be desired and was overpowered for the Fijian try.
Jonathan Joseph – 6
Made a good pass for Brown’s first try but didn’t look like the same player that scored four tries in the Six Nations earlier in the year.
Brad Barritt – 5
Will feel Sam Burgess breathing down his neck after a quiet performance.
Jonny May – 5
Poor positioning off the back of a scrum gave Matawalu his chance for the break.
George Ford – 6
His kicking from hand in the opening stages of the game was fantastic but failed to control the game thereafter.
Ben Youngs – 6
Slowed down play too often by taking a step before the pass and was unable to direct his forwards sufficiently.
Joe Marler – 4
It’s never a good look for an England scrum to be dominated by Fiji. Marler was clearly unhappy with the methods being used against him but failed to adapt until just before he was replaced.
Tom Youngs – 4
The scrum was weak and his throwing would not inspire too much confidence in English fans.
Dan Cole – 5
Offered little in open play and did little in the scrum to help his frontrow teammates.
Geoff Parling – 6
Will be worried about his place after a strong showing from Launchbury off the bench
Courtney Lawes – 5
Was not his usual self as he went missing from open play almost entirely.
Tom Wood – 6.5
England’s top performer in the first half, he fell away a bit towards the end. Was lucky to avoid a yellow card for stupidly grabbing an opponent in a sleeper hold.
Chris Robshaw – 7
Grew into the game as it went on but still did not dominate. Needed to take his players aside and calm them down.
Ben Morgan – 6
Failed to repay the gamble Lancaster took in bringing him following a long-term injury.
Replacements – 8
Joe Launchbury and the Vunipola brothers all helped push England over the line, with Billy Vunipola going over for the bonus point try in the dying moments.
Wigglesworth and Farrell handled the game better thanks to front-foot ball that Youngs and Ford were not given. Burgess looked impressive, despite being sold an obvious dummy by Nemani Nadolo.
