A SELL-out KC Stadium crowd was somewhat flattened by the desperately sad pre-match news of Steve Prescott’s passing but they witnessed a compelling, physical opening 40 minutes before England finally let rip.

The Fijians physically gave it to England – not always legally - for large parts of the first half making a much more of a test that the previous week’s dull fayre against the Irish.

Former Saints skipper James Graham did feel the full force of those heavy-handed tactics when he was drilled head first into the ground by Korbin Sims.

Although the Fijian back-rower was let off with an on report, his subsequent two-match suspension for a dangerous throw.

Graham was unscathed – and was soon fired up for some big defensive hits, including one on his assailant.

With hooker James Roby rested, ex-Blackbrook front row teammate Graham was the closest thing to a Saints representative in the English ranks.

Although both sides had already as good as qualified for the quarter finals neither side had that much to gain from victory, but confidence and momentum were important.

Fiji, packed with big, physical NRL players and out to follow up their 2008 World semi-final achievement rocked England with a tough opening, but scoreless opening half and hour.

And, to delight the pockets of flag waving islanders in the crowd, Fiji took the lead on 32 minutes with a well-worked try from sub forward Eloni Vunakece in one of only two raids on the English line Ben Westwood soon cancelled that out to tie up the game and spare England’s blushes at the break.

After the previous week’s boring non-event maybe it was just what was needed.

But England got off to a rip-roaring start to second half when after retrieving the ball from the kick off Sam Burgess smashed is way through four defenders to touch down.

A Brett Ferres touchdown before Fiji had even managed to get their hands on the ball made it 18-6 and before long Ryan Hall squeezed in for a tight-space try at the corner flag.

An impressive Chris Hill break and offload, supported by George Burgess and finished off by Rob Burrow, who pushed up on the inside to claim the try that put the game to bed.

Hall grabbed his second but a scoreboard blow out never materialised with Parramatta wing Semi Radradra squeezing in at the corner for the next try to add some respectability to the scoreboard.