REACTION: @owen_faz on @englandrugby's position during the Haka #RWC2019 #ENGvNZL pic.twitter.com/jDlQwchlBp — Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 26, 2019 New Zealand's performance was strewn with unforced errors and rash decision-making, and Steve Hansen's men seemed rattled by England's physicality. The reigning world champions, who had beaten England in 25 of their previous 16 encounters, looked a shadow of their normal selves. They had rarely threatened to break through England's dogged and physical defence, and had failed to score in the first half of a World Cup match for the first time since 1991. New Zealand had overturned a 15-0 deficit to win 16-15 in the countries' last meeting in Twickenham, but there was to be no repeat of this feat in Yokohama. Elliot Daly's long-range penalty drifted narrowly wide of the posts early in the second half as England picked up where they left off. Six minutes into the second half, England thought they had their second try when Ben Youngs spotted a gap, produced a delightful dummy, and danced over the whitewash. However, a TMO review ruled the try out due to a knock on during England's rolling maul seconds earlier. Ford extended England's lead to 13-0 with a 50th-minute penalty after Sam Cane tackled Billy Vunipola illegally off the ball. Savea's try gave New Zealand a lifeline seven minutes later; the All Blacks benefiting from a calamitous English error. Henry Slade drove Savu Reece into touch wide on the right, with the England player surviving a TMO review for a potential no-arms tackle as he prevented Reece from diving over in the corner. Jamie George got the resulting five-metre lineout all wrong, over-cooking his pass to give Savea a simple finish from close range. Richie Mo'unga added a conversion to reduce England's lead to 13-7.
4 - @EnglandRugby have reached the @rugbyworldcup final for the fourth time in their history, no side has reached that stage more often (level with New Zealand and Australia). Showpiece.#RWC2019 #ENGvNZL pic.twitter.com/dBznhwFwvx — OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) October 26, 2019 England's immediate response was admirable, with Underhill's gargantuan tackle on Jordie Barrett forcing a turnover in New Zealand's 22. The All Blacks were punished for another infringement soon afterwards, and Ford duly registered his third penalty of the match to make it 16-7. In the 70th minute, another Ford penalty extended England's lead to 12 points, and the European nation held out - thanks to some huge tackles and inspiring turnovers - to secure a famous victory. England forced 16 turnovers in total, while the All Blacks made just five. "New Zealand are the God of rugby, so we had to take it to them," Jones said afterwards. "We wanted to take it to them and show we could take the game to them, try to put them on the back foot as much as we could." England will now face the winners of South Africa and Wales in the final next week.
Highlights of @englandrugby v @allblacks in the first semi-final at Rugby World Cup 2019#RWC2019 #ENGvNZL pic.twitter.com/QIS9GfV3eV — Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 26, 2019