"Sheer grit and bloody-mindedness," in Andy Gomarsall's words, fired England to a place in the semifinals of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.Australia had scored the only try of a tense match to take a 10-6 halftime lead, but England overturned the deficit after the break with a dogged effort.
In the 2003 Final, the boot of Jonny Wilkinson sealed a famous extra-time win over the Wallabies on their own soil. Wilkinson scored all the points for England this year year, in his team's best performance of the 2007 competition.
The English pack outmuscled the Australians time and again at the scrum, but the Wallabies were still dangerous with the ball in their hands—and the English defence was often stretched to its limit.
At the hour mark, winger Sackey saved England from conceding a certain try when he came inside to tackle Mortlock, preventing a three-man Australian overlap.
From there, the 2003 champions clung to their lead, with Wilkinson twice missing opportunities to extend it.
Mortlock put a 55-yard kick narrowly wide in the waning minutes, and England held their nerve to clinch an unexpected victory over one of the tournament's premier teams.
England may have been unimpressive in the group stages, but this hard-earned win sets up a potential semifinal match with the All Blacks.
That might be too tall an order—but the English certainly worked hard to get there, and for the moment they'll savour the victory over their arch-rivals.
A stunned Australia, meanwhile, makes the long trek home from France having been stopped by England in a World Cup—again.
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about 1 year ago
England then France...what next? FIJI....Living in South Africa would become pretty depressing if that happens!
about 1 year ago
Australia and New Zealand looses.So if SA will win the game against FIJI its obvious that they will take cup. by SPELELE
about 1 year ago
France playing at home should beat England, Springbocks should beat fiji and should get through the semi-final and then we will beat France and the Springbocks will be world champions 2007...common Bocks you can do it.
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