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England Are In The Final Of The Rugby World Cup

England Are In The Final Of The Rugby World Cup

They overcame the mighty All Blacks in a tense semi-final this morning

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

England have made it to the final of the Rugby World Cup after a shock victory over reigning champions New Zealand.

Eddie Jones' side managed to overcome the mighty All Blacks 19-7 in a tense semi-final at Yokohama's International Stadium this morning.

Speaking after the gripping encounter, England captain Owen Farrell said his players were happy with the win but now the focus is already on the final.

He said: "It's a big game, a World Cup semi-final against the All Blacks - as big as you can get. We prepared well, and started the game well.

Victory.
PA

"In all these big games, teams want top get physical from the off, and we wanted to play that way too.

"We have a number ways of playing, we have a big powerful pack but we wanted to play to space as well.

"It's brilliant to get there, we'll enjoy this and make sure we prepare well."

Coach Jones also praised his team but said it's not over yet.

He said: "What we've done is earn another week in the comp which is great. I thought our tactical discipline was great, our defensive work rate was good. I thought when we had opportunities to attack, we attacked well.

The team huddle after the final whistle.
PA

"You want to go right to the death and we're in the death now. We've got another week to enjoy ourselves and work as a team. Our players made a commitment to each other that they'd enjoy the World Cup and I think we're seeing that.

"Whenever you play against New Zealand, you're never happy. You might beat them on the scoreboard but you never really beat them. They kept coming at us and we needed to dig deep and a find a bit extra.

"We've come here to be the world's best and we haven't done that yet, so that's where we need to go."

They will now play the winner of Wales v South Africa, who go head to head tomorrow morning.

Fans and ex-players have praised the national team for their commanding performance.

Former England international and World Cup winner Matt Dawson said: "That's what we expected from this team. We know they can defend like their lives depend on it, like Tasmanian devils.

"Even to the last second, they wanted to shut them out. Their organisation, their tactics, were just totally first-class. The players, the subs, everyone nailed this today, utterly nailed it."

England smashed the Kiwis this morning.
PA

Fellow winner and England legend Jason Robinson tweeted: "Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssss!!!!!! @rugbyworldcup final here we come!!!!!"

Journalist Oliver Holt wrote: "England have done it. For the first time at a World Cup, England have beaten the All Blacks. Not just beaten them. Demolished them. One of the great moments in English sport."

The thrilling match has even seen some of Jones' critics come out in support.

Former Scotland international Jim Hamilton praised the coach, writing: "Eddie Jones, clown or genius? Well the question has been answered. #ENGvNZL."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics:ย New Zealand, Rugby, SPORT, Interesting, England, Japan