RWC 2019: Brilliant England demolish the All Blacks with near-perfect performance

New Zealand’s eight-year reign as World Champions is over – England will face South Africa in the final

2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final, Yokohama International Stadium, Japan – 26th October

England 19: Try: Tuilagi, Con: Farrell, Pens: Ford (4)

New Zealand 7: Try: Savea, Con: Mo’unga

All we probably need to know is that Sir Clive Woodward thinks he’s never seen England play better – ever. And this coming from the Head Coach who guided England to their one and only World Cup triumph, back in 2003. That gives a context that should resonate long and hard with all England supporters and the rugby world in general.

What a night at the Yokohama International Stadium. What a stunning performance from Eddie Jones’s England, and perhaps best of all, what a sporting spectacle this match gave us. The kings of international rugby, the incomparable All Blacks, the three-times world champions, were humbled here. This was no fluke, no robbery, with no controversy – this was a straightforward beating that nobody – even those from every corner of North and South Island – can argue with.

Pre-game, Eddie Jones had recalled George Ford to the fly half jersey and therefore restored his famed Ford/Farrell axis at 10 and 12 that has served England so well in the past. Horses for courses, said Jones. The course for this one may have looked a mighty challenge, but, as it turned out, Jones had a stable full of thoroughbreds at his disposal.

New Zealand’s Head Coach Steve Hansen had dropped openside flanker Sam Cane and brought in Scott Barrett, a second row by trade, presumably in an effort to beef up their line-out strength.

Before kick-off, England faced the haka in a V-formation with a glint in their collective eye, and in the case of skipper Owen Farrell, a smirk/wry smile/show of defiance…delete as you see fit. But it was certainly the look of a man who didn’t fear the next 80 minutes one little bit.

England started magnificently. Their intent and confidence were in evidence from the kick-off. Incredibly, in under two minutes, England had crossed the Kiwi line for a try. From their first lineout, half the England team managed to get their hands on the ball and get involved in a blistering start. Courtney Lawes, Ben Youngs, George Ford, Manu Tuilagi, Tom Curry, Elliot Daly, Anthony Watson, Owen Farrell and even hooker Jamie George, popping up in a cameo on the left wing – England simply zoomed through the phases like men possessed.

Lawes almost crossed, before last-gasp New Zealand defence held him up. No matter. Tuilagi seized on the ball and smashed over the line. Stunning. It was the perfect start for England and put down a huge marker that set the tone for much that followed.

The game continued with England very much on the front foot – their passion, confidence and discipline were all startlingly on-point, and at times it was hard to believe that the opposition they were bossing with relative ease were actually the reigning world champions, and undisputed best team in the world – yes, it was that good.

England were all-out attack, New Zealand were all-out shell-shocked. Their talented centre Jack Goodhue, he of the much-discussed mullet hairdo, was getting through a humongous amount of defensive work in the midfield, and at times looked like he was trying to stop England all by himself. He may personally have resembled Billy Ray Cyrus in the barnet department, but the achy breaky heart was collectively New Zealand’s right now.

No-one was more symbolic or influential in England’s ascendance than the lock Maro Itoje. Just as his name was sung to the tune of Seven Nation Army by the Lions supporters two years ago in New Zealand, it once again rang lustily around the stadium as the magnificent England fans showed their love for this magnificent player. He was putting in a stunning shift and wasn’t anywhere near done yet.

England had a try disallowed on 24 minutes when Tom Curry impeded Kiwi lock Sam Whitelock, just as Sam Underhill broke through to score under the posts. Referee Nigel Owens and the TMO agreed it was no try. As much as the score wouldn’t have flattered England at all, it looked like the correct call.

In other news, Farrell copped a nasty dead-leg courtesy of Goodhue’s knee connecting – accidentally – with his thigh at great speed, which clearly hurt England’s skipper, subsequently removing him from kicking duties for the rest of the match.

Ford attempted a drop-goal that missed, but England’s control was growing. New Zealand looked rattled, rushed and error-strewn. They were losing lineouts on their own throw, rushing their re-starts, conceding turnovers and, generally, looking nothing like New Zealand. As the end of the first half loomed, England were enjoying 61% possession.

Tellingly, the game was being played exactly where England wanted it to be, deep in the All Blacks half, and with England’s discipline spot-on, they were offering their opponents precisely nothing. Just before half-time, Ford coolly slotted over a penalty, and the 10-0 score at the interval – whilst looking pretty good on paper – was actually flattering the All Blacks, who must have been relieved it wasn’t far worse, such was England’s dominance.

Shortly after the second half got under way, England had another pot at goal following another New Zealand penalty, a ridiculous shove on Ben Youngs from Whitelock that was never going to go unseen or unpunished.

It was 54 metres out, which meant the howitzer left boot of full back Elliot Daly was needed. It had the distance but not the direction, and for once, Whitgift School’s finest wasn’t able to deliver. As the second half unfolded, several England players were fast completing man-of-the-match application forms, and it looked like the ultimate team performance was being put together, with few weaknesses in sight.

The young guns on the flanks, Messrs Underhill and Curry, were simply everywhere. Hitting rucks, tackling anything in a black shirt, sniffing out the ball wherever it may be – they were having the time of their lives. George Ford was dictating play nicely, never looking rushed or hurried, fully in the zone and radiating a calmness that inspired massive confidence.

Whilst they didn’t get many truly clear runs at the try-line, England’s wings Jonny May and particularly Anthony Watson were still a huge handful – Watson is such an elusive runner, and so hard to bring down in the tackle. England’s fitness, it has to be said, was hugely impressive.

England thought they’d scored again in the 45th minute, when Ben Youngs crossed the line after a fine driving maul. With a conversion to come that looked a formality, the impending 17-0 scoreline in prospect for England looked like a massive step towards a famous victory. But the TMO’s intervention was again to cost England – a knock-on in the maul was detected, and Nigel Owens was once again the bearer of bad news to the men in white – as you were, still 10-0.

Then on 49 minutes, England extended their lead with another Ford penalty, following an off the ball tackle by Sam Cane on Billy Vunipola. It was yet another example of how rattled New Zealand were getting, their decision-making was becoming increasingly poor, courtesy of the stranglehold that England had in place.

But then came England’s worst moment – a soft try conceded on 56 minutes from their own lineout, when Superman – sorry, Maro Itoje – was seemingly not lifted high enough by Curry, and Kiwi flanker Ardie Savea only had to fall over England’s line without dropping the ball to score. It was converted and we were now at 13-7. Surely all England’s hard work and dominance wouldn’t be undone now? This was only New Zealand’s third visit inside England’s 22 so far – and it yielded seven points.

It was the only moment in the match when it looked like New Zealand might, just might, be making a comeback of any sort. The points gap wasn’t a lot, and in truth England could have been out of sight on the scoreboard by now.

But it wasn’t to be for the men in black. England’s unswerving determination and strength was summed up beautifully a few minutes later, when Sam Underhill executed the perfect dump tackle on Jordie Barrett, lifting him up, carrying him backwards then finally dumping him several metres from where he started. There can’t be too many players who suffer a tackle that starts in the middle of Japan and deposits them back in their home town of New Plymouth in New Zealand…awesome.

Three minutes later, England extended their lead once again, courtesy of a New Zealand offside which gifted another Ford penalty: 16-7 to England. Time was now ticking away, and the scoreboard was ticking over – it wasn’t looking great for the Kiwi’s.

Perhaps New Zealand’s last chance came and went with a reversed penalty decision in the 66^th minute – Manu Tuilagi was pinged for playing the ball on the ground, but in the same skirmish Sam Whitelock (who was having a massive off-day both with his performance and discipline) decided to push Owen Farrell’s head back with his hand…it was ill-disciplined and costly. Penalty reversed – a big let-off for England, as it was well inside their half and looked eminently kickable. And just to make matters worse for New Zealand, a couple of minutes later another penalty was despatched by Ford, after the All Blacks transgressed by coming in at the side at a ruck. 19-7.

With 10 minutes left, New Zealand knew it was now or never. They threw everything they could at England but in truth they couldn’t gain the territory they needed to go with their possession. And yet again, England repelled everything thrown at them. Four minutes from time, England had yet another penalty awarded, but this time Ford couldn’t slot it. Thankfully for Jones’s men, It didn’t matter. As the last couple of minutes ticked by, the All Blacks knew the game was up, as was their time as world champions.

The clock hit eighty minutes, and after some desperate but futile midfield scuffling, the ball went dead, and that was it. England had smashed the favourites with a near-perfect performance, securing a fourth World Cup final place. England’s players celebrated but it was all very low-key – probably a combination of their professionalism in knowing they’d won nothing yet, and sheer exhaustion, such was their collective effort on the day.

Of course, this was “only” a semi-final, and the Webb Ellis Cup is certainly not delivered yet…but this was a humbling of the best team in international rugby by a country mile in recent years. This was massive. This was a masterclass in discipline and possession. Allied to that, the defensive strength, the ferocity and frequency of the superb tackling, and the fact that England didn’t take a backward step all night…well, not even the All Blacks had an answer to all that.

The match stats showed possession of 56% to 44% in England’s favour, territory likewise at 62% to 38%. The penalty count was 11 conceded by New Zealand and 6 by England. England won 16 turnovers compared to 5 by New Zealand. Steve Hansen will be wincing forever at that charge sheet. The final score in itself probably flatters New Zealand and doesn’t quite emphasise the level of England’s performance.

Eddie Jones said that he thought England’s tactical discipline was outstanding in both attack and defence, and the pride in his voice was unmistakable. But there has been no crowing, the whole England group has refocused of course on the small matter of Saturday’s World Cup final, against South Africa.

England will be clear favourites, but nothing can be taken for granted whatsoever. South Africa are a proud rugby nation, and will love their underdog status for this one. They are ferocious competitors, and England need to be, once again, completely focused – discipline will be key in this one. In Faf de Klerk, South Africa have an outstanding talent – the complete box of tricks at scrum-half and a complete irritant to play against. His contest with Ben Youngs will be key, but then so will many other match-ups across the park.

But let’s also be honest – Jones and England know that this is a golden opportunity. They’ve beaten the All Blacks handsomely, everything about their game has clicked into place, and they are peaking at the right time. So far, no major injury concerns have been reported, and of course in these days of meticulous scientific preparation, they will be one million per cent ready for Saturday. All England supporters will be hoping that there is no subconscious feeling of this semi-final being some sort of zenith for England in this tournament, and no trace of a feeling of “job done” already.

It is very, very difficult, however, to imagine a Head Coach such as Eddie Jones, and a captain like Owen Farrell letting that happen. It’s hard to remember England putting a foot wrong either on or off the pitch in this tournament so far, and they will need to continue that into Saturday. One more contest, one more great performance needed. The biggest prize of all is within touching distance for England, but it still has to be earned.

By Chris Tribe

28th October 2019

Copyright © 2019 Chris Tribe. All Rights Reserved.

Photo credit: Copyright © Author: Edo Village Tokuzo/Wikipedia Commons/Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution- Inheritance 4.0 International License.