RED ROSE RAMPANT
THEY’VE only gone and done it.
England's magnificent rugby men have dethroned the mighty All Blacks with a dominant performance and booked a place in next Saturday’s World Cup final against South Africa or Wales.
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Eddie Jones and his men had talked a good game all week, they faced down the Haka and then they walked the walk - dumping out the back-to-back world champions with a convincing victory.
Manu Tuilagi grabbed England’s only try after just 98 seconds, although Ben Youngs had a brilliant effort controversially ruled out early in the second half.
Yet despite a loose Jamie George line-out throw gifting Ardie Savea a second-half try, England held firm.
Tuilagi, Maro Itoje and Sam Underhill led the way in a display of controlled aggression - all enjoying the games of their lives.
But there were heroes everywhere, not least George Ford - deputising for Owen Farrell with the kicking duties and nervelessly landing four penalties.
It was the first World Cup meeting between these sides in 20 years and Jones had restored Ford at fly-half, with skipper Farrell moving to centre.
England faced down the traditional pre-match All Blacks Haka by standing only yards away in a V formation, with Joe Marler appearing to give the New Zealanders a few verbals.
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It was typical of England’s bullish approach to this fixture - and they started the match in the exact same fashion.
Within 98 seconds, England were in front - Elliot Daly and Anthony Watson led a break down the right, then after a flowing crossfield passing sequence, Courtney Lawes was halted close to the line.
The next time, though, Tuilagi ploughed over. The powerhouse centre had been man of the match when England last beat the All Blacks in 2012 and he’d given them the perfect start here.
England continued to pin back the All Blacks for long stretches and Jonny May was unusually hesitant when given a sight of the line after Tuilagi had intercepted a loose Beauden Barrett pass.
Itoje was immense, winning a turnover, stealing a line-out and generally battering the New Zealanders.
Underhill had a try disallowed - just as he had against the All Blacks at Twickenham in November - because of a Tom Curry obstruction before Kyle Sinckler’s off-load.
Ford missed a drop goal but England remained remarkably dominant and when Tuilagi won a turnover and forced a penalty just before half-time, Ford landed the kick - with Farrell seemingly struggling with a dead leg.
It was only the second time in 20 years New Zealand had failed to score in a first half.
Straight after the break Daly was wide with a long-range penalty effort.
But the magnificent Itoje seized possession close to the New Zealand line and England thought they had a second try when a brilliant Ben Youngs dummy took out Aaron Smith and Anton Lienert-Brown.
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Yet after Youngs had darted over the line, the TMO Marius Jonker controversially ruled out the effort for a knock-on in the preceding maul.
May and Sinckler were both forced off through injury early in the second period, replaced by Henry Slade and Dan Cole.
But when Sam Cane was penalised for a challenge on Ford, the fly-half slotted over from in front of the sticks.
Incredibly, England were 13-0 up with New Zealand barely having had an attack.
That was all about to change though as Sevu Reece made a burst for the England line where he was halted by a suspected no-arms tackle from Slade, for which he escaped without punishment on a TMO review.
Yet from the line-out, George produced England’s first serious error of the match, tossing it straight to Savea, who went over with ease.
Richie Mo’unga added the extras but if it felt like a possible turning point, no one was telling Underhill.
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The outstanding flanker rocked back Jordie Barrett with a big hit, forcing a turnover and Ford was soon landing a simple penalty for a 16-7 lead.
Ford then extended England’s lead with a sweet strike from 40 yards out and wide on the left after Brodie Retallick had conceded the penalty.
Replacement flanker Mark Wilson produced a key turnover as the All Blacks pressed and England were soon home and hosed, dreaming of the World Cup glory in Yokohama which Jones had promised since the start of his reign in 2015.
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England's response to intense New Zealand Haka
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