A brave Vodafone Flying Fijians outfit went down fighting, 35-11 to England in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup.

The Akapusi Qera-led side could only manage a try to star winger, Nemani Nadolo in the 30th minute, who collected a neat cross-kick from flyhalf, Ben Volavola to dot down in the corner.

Moments earlier, halfback Nikola Matawalu was denied a try after knocking the ball on the try from a sublime break down the sideline.

Nadolo added a penalty kick in the 37th minute while Volavola also converted a penalty in the 64th minute.

The Flying Fijians were reduced to 14 men early in the 13th minute after Matawalu was yellow carded for attacking an English maul from the side.

The infringement also earned the home side a penalty try.

Fiji showed glimpses of its attacking prowess whenever it had possession with the likes of Nadolo and Matawalu, while the forwards held their own in the scrums and line-outs.

Fiji was resilient in defense and disrupted England from getting clean ball as well as making several turnovers in the ruck.

England fullback, Mike Brown was awarded ‘Man of the Match’ after scoring two of the host’s four tries.

England’s bonus point win sees them lead Pool A with 5 points while Fiji is yet to register a point.

Fiji meets Australia at 3:45am next Thursday at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

You can watch all matches of the World Cup live on FBC TV and radio commentaries of Fiji’s matches will air on Bula FM and Radio Fiji One.