England end All Blacks’ reign as Rugby World Cup champions to book final spot

Over 68,000 fans packed into the International Stadium Yokohama to watch the highly anticipated semi-final clash. 

There was a considerable English fan base in the crowd that made their presence felt with rousing renditions of ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ throughout the game.

England coach Eddie Jones and his technical team clearly did their homework as their charges put on a clinical all-round display that was driven by an aggressive defence and some silky smooth attacking play.

New Zealand were starved of possession for long periods of the match and the pressure mounted as the English slowly added points to the scoreboard. Penalties cost the All Blacks on the night and the three time Rugby World Cup champions just couldn’t stamp their authority on the game.

England march on to the final of the Rugby World Cup and will meet either the Springboks or Wales, who clash in the second semi final on Sunday evening in Yokohama.

England dominate the first 40

England kicked off proceedings with a quick change of direction off the kickoff. The All Blacks cleaned up and exited their half neatly, not suspecting that their line would be breached from the next play.

England went on the offensive from the resulting lineout as Manu Tuilago punched the ball up in the midfield. 

England then shifted the ball outwide and right wing Anthony Watson made a good break down the touchline. England recycled the ball through a couple of phases while crossing the advantage line with every run.

Some strong running from their forwards took them short of the try line, before Tuilagi spotted some space around a ruck. The outside centre needed only to dive over the whitewash to score, giving England an early 7-nil lead on the two minute mark after Owen Farrell converted.

For the next fifteen minutes England dominated proceedings with the lions share of possession and territory. Forays into the All Blacks’ half were plentiful but one or two handling errors and some good defensive turnovers kept England from scoring any points.

It took up until the 18th minute for the first scrum of the game, with both packs looking steady at the set piece.

England were then denied a try on the 24 minute mark after blindside flank Sam Underhill made a break and scored under the posts. Referee Nigel Owens went upstairs to check the video replay which showed that tighthead prop Kyle Sincler had snuck behind his teammate resulting in a penalty for obstruction.

Play slowed down somewhat around the half hour mark after relentless 30 minutes. An attempt at a drop goal from Farrell was the most notable piece of play as both teams seemed to tire from the intensity of the first half enchanges.

On the stroke of half time, New Zealand conceded a penalty just inside their half for a side entry at a ruck. Ford showed great big match temperament to knock over the long range penalty shot to give his side a 10-0 lead at the break.

End of the line for All Blacks

Shortly after the second half got underway the All Blacks conceded a penalty on the half way mark. England fullback Elliot Daly stepped up to take the long range shot but his attempt just sailed wide of the left hand upright.

Shortly afterwards the All Blacks conceded another penalty, this time dangerously near their tryline. England kicked for the line and setup a driving maul. Scrumhalf Ben Youngs then broke off the base and cut through the line and scored.

Referee Nigel Owens then went upstairs to review what looked like a handling error by England in the maul. The TMO advised that the ball had been knocked forward and the try was disallowed.

A minute or so later England went on the attack once again and New Zealand conceded another penalty deep in their half, as Sam Cane put in an off-the-ball tackle on Billy Vunipola.

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Ford kicked the penalty straight in front of the posts to give the English a 13-nil lead.

The All Blacks finally went on the offensive 15 minute into the second half. A neat pass from Sonny Bull Williams released Sevu Reece down the right hand touchline and the wing was just tackled into touch on the five metre line.

England hooker Jamie George then made a critical error, overthrowing his jumper. The ball was snapped up by All Blacks hooker Ardie Savea, who dived over the try line to score the All Blacks first five-pointer of the game. Richie Mo’unga then knocked over the conversion to reduce England’s lead to 13-7.

England then regained possession after the All Blacks exited from the restart. Making their way into the All Blacks’ 22, England came close to scoring before being rewarded another crucial penalty. Ford kicked the extras giving his team an important 16-7 lead.

The pressure continued to mount on the All Blacks as they conceded yet another penalty, this time pushing the boundaries at a maul. Ford once again remained resolute as he lined up a difficult penalty. The kick was successful and England went ahead 19-7.

The All Blacks made a break down the touchline from the restart and made it into the English 22 but a crucial turnover forced a penalty - ending New Zealand’s foray into their opponents’ half.

The English managed to hold out for the remaining ten minutes to hold on for a memorable, emphatic 19-7 win over the defending Rugby World Cup champions.

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