SATURDAY 13th, 8pm - SEMI- FINAL ENGLAND v FRANCE, Paris
Australia sent packing by England forwards
It's four more years for shellshocked Wallabies, as England find form when it matters
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England 12 Australia 10
England: Penalty goals: Wilkinson 4 (22, 26, 52, 57)
Australia: Try: Tuqiri (33min).
Conversion: Mortlock. Penalty goal: Mortlock (7).
AUSTRALIA fans may well have thought their side just had to turn up to secure a semi-final with their old adversaries New Zealand.
After all, they were up against an English side that had spluttered their way through the pool stages, while the Wallabies were on a perfectly timed date with destiny.
But in Marseille in the Saturday afternoon sun, it was a different story, as the defending World Champions set about Australia with ruthless determination. Australia weren't outplayed, but they were outfought and outdone and England march on.
Meanwhile, the Australian side fly to Sydney via London!
To have any chance of winning, England had to tackle hard and turnaround ball for the full 80 minutes; They had to dominate the scrum, and win their line outs; They had to keep their discipline and not commit players to the sin bin or commit infringements.
This they just about did, until three minutes from time, when replacement Joe Worsley got his hands in a ruck. Stirling Mortlock stepped up to kick for the three points that would have sent his side through, but his punt missed the target, and England were heading for the semi-final.
Despite a few error-strewn opening moments, this was England's match and they seized it.
The defending champions were able to slow Australia's possession and smother their attacking edge. Paul Sackey, may not have got anywhere near the try line, as he had done four times in his two previous outings, but his vital interception mid way through the second period, ensured the Australians couldn't notch up a decisive, second try. Faced with a quick overlap, Sackey read the move and blocked the ball before Mortlock could get to it.
England's mighty pack, marshalled superbly by Andrew Sheridan, bulldozed their rivals in the scrum, pushing forward at every opportunity. It was a team show, with fine cameos from returning skipper Phil Vickery and Bristol prop Mark Regan, plus an imperious performance from scrum half Andy Gomarsall. Deemed by many, and me included, to be the weak link in a faltering side, Gomarsall has been playing out of his skin since coming into the side. All of England must pray he doesn't fall to a training ground injury before Saturday.
And to think, a year ago he was playing for his pub side to stay fit, after being released by Worcester!
Lewis Moody followed on from his fine display a week before, by putting the brakes on Australian flanker George Smith; Moody's work on breakdown, forced nine turnovers for England.
Though, trailing 10-6 at half time, England started to take full control, pressing hard for the try line, and trying hard to force Australia into giving away penalties in sight of goal, and even when tiredness began to take its toll with the clock ticking down, coach Brian Ashton just sent on fresh legs to continue the pummelling.
Australian props Matt Dunning, Al Baxter and Guy Sherpherdson just wanted to be somewhere else, while Young Fly Half Berrick Barnes was blinded by the headlights of England's juggernaut.
His kicking was nervous, and wasn't finding the territory that Australia needed. Scrum half George Gregan was supposed to be Australia's key player, but as it ultimately turned out, his last international was one to forget.
For England, Wilkinson wasn't in the best kicking form, but the four kicks he did convert were all that was needed.
So, somehow, from somewhere, England have finally found their World Cup form.
If they can keep it going against the French hosts on Saturday, then maybe, just maybe England could reach the final. But, it is still a very big maybe!
SEMI FINAL MATCHES
SAT 13th Oct 8pm
ENGLAND V FRANCE, PARIS
SUN 14th Oct 8pm
SOUTH AFRICA V ARGENTINA, PARIS
ENGLAND POOL A MATCHES - CLICK HERE FOR REPORTS
