England beat New Zealand 19-7 to reach the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final

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Will Macpherson26 October 2019

For the first time in 12 years, England will contest the Rugby World Cup final. And for the first time in 12 years, New Zealand have lost a match at the game’s showpiece event.

An era of All Black dominance is over – and they can have no complaints. From the first minute in Yokohama, England were sensational; they ran out 19-7 winners, and it could have been so much more. They had two tries chalked off by the TMO, the second a controversial call, before New Zealand had even scored a point.

There were immense performances across the park, from Sam Underhill’s super-human tackling to Maro Itoje’s absurd all-court showing. When the bench were called upon there was no let up, as encapsulated by a penalty win for Mark Wilson – barely required all tournament – moments after coming on for the utterly epic Underhill.

This, unlike the Cricket World Cup earlier, was not won by the barest of margins. New Zealand were rattled – as a pair of petulant reversed penalties against Sam Whitelock, normally so sensible showed.

England were not here to respect a dynasty, or bow and stand aside as the All Blacks did their thing. At the haka, they stood in a V formation and entered into enemy territory.

At the back, Owen Farrell had his hands on his hips. Manu Tuilagi swung his arms and looked bored. At the front, Billy Vunipola crept ever closer while Joe Marler argued with the officials about how close he could stand. England were in Yokohama to upset New Zealand.

England made an immense start to the game – and were rewarded with a try within 100 seconds. Manu Tuilagi bundled over, but most of his team-mates played their part, with Elliot Daly, Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler carrying with particular vim.

AP

They did not let up England were fizzing, and every carrier seemed to be making yards. Maro Itoje was everywhere – in the tight and loose. They had the best of the lineout – the area New Zealand had picked their pack to dominate. They won a scrum penalty. Only they really looked like building a try, and elements of the All Blacks’ game stuttered.

It says everything that New Zealand would have been delighted to be 10-0 down. They had not been nilled in a half since England beat them 38-21 at Twickenham in 2012. New Zealand had not won after being scoreless in the first half since 1968.

AFP via Getty Images

There was one issue. Owen Farrell picked up a knee injury after 25 minutes, and – true to form – soldiered on. George Ford took over the kicking duties, and performed perfectly until the dying moments. Farrell would not leave the field, and put in a monstrous defensive showing. There were other casualties – like Jonny May and Kyle Sinckler, who both left the field early in pain.

After Ben Youngs’ try was ruled out for a knock on in the maul (it was remarkable that it was even spotted) New Zealand grew into the game, and deserved their try when it came. The circumstances of it, though, were strange in every way. Sevu Reece was charging towards the right hand corner, with Tuilagi in hot pursuit and Henry Slade – on at full-back – sprinting across to tackle. They combined to bundle him into touch, but Slade’s tackle appeared to lack arms.

The TMO investigated but surprisingly decided there had been no foul play. Never mind, New Zealand were over instantly, with George launching a rare overthrow beyond Itoje, and Ardie Savea flopping over to score. It was a gift.

But England were unfazed. Underhill charged into a tackle on Jordie Barrett, forcing him to knock-on, and England flooded forward. Eventually, Ford slotted a penalty to take England back to a nine-point lead. Six minutes later Whitelock’s second moment of petulance – flooring Farrell – led indirectly to three more points for Ford.

Getty Images

Ford would miss a kick, but England would not be breached again. This was what Eddie Jones was hired for – and he has played a blinder all week. With a victory about as famous as they come, England are into the World Cup final.

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