England stun Australia to reach semi-finals
Resurging France upset All Blacks
England stunned Australia 12-10 to reach the World Cup semi-finals yesterday after they finally produced a performance worthy of their world champion status in a monumental battle with their old sporting rivals in Marseille.
England's mighty pack earned the victory with an awesome scrummaging display while Jonny Wilkinson, Australia's destroyer in the final four years ago, delivered all the points.
Australia went into the game as huge odds-on favourites but, apart from a first-half Lote Tuqiri try, always struggled to get into the game as they were starved of possession.
It was not quite a repeat of the scrum demolition of Twickenham two years ago but near enough to ensure their dangerous backs did most of their work under pressure.
England scrumhalf Andy Gomarsall admitted it had not been a pretty display and when asked how they had managed to defy the odds he said:
"Sheer grit and mindedness. I just can't believe it. It's unreal," he told ITV television.
England were unrecognisable from the team thrashed 36-0 by South Africa three weeks ago and can now look forward to a Paris semi-final against France.
Last night, the World Cup hosts produced a stunning second-half fightback to beat New Zealand 20-18 at the Millennium Stadium.
New Zealand looked in control after a try from centre Luke McAlister on 18 minutes, Dan Carter slotting the conversion and adding two penalties.
France finally got on the scoreboard with a Lionel Beauxis penalty on the stroke of half-time. Beauxis added another after McAlister was sin-binned and with their tails up, Thierry Dusautoir's try and a Beauxis conversion levelled the game.
Number eight Rodney So'oialo nosed the All Blacks ahead but France hit back again with a try from Yannick Jauzion which was converted by Jean Elissalde and the French held on for famous win.
Quarter-finals
Played yesterday: Australia vs England 10-12; France vs New Zealand 20-18.
Today: S. Africa vs Fiji; Argentina vs Scotland.