Semi-Final: New Zealand v England Rugby League World Cup

Welcome to Wembley on a cold, crisp Saturday lunch time. It's semifinal

time, New Zealand versus England, we have been here before. :

VOICEOVER History will not repeat itself.

Today, history will not repeat itself. We hope Sam Burgess is

right. Well most of us hope Sam Burgess is right. Former England

captain Jamie Peacock, former New Zealand international and O'Brien

Noble. Let's start with you, England have won four of the last five

against the Kiwis, but the one they didn't win was the thumping

semifinal defeat in the year 2000 which you played in. Who do you

think will come in with more confidence? I don't think anyone

will come in with more confidence. It's a semifinal. Whoever wins this

game to go through to the final. It's as easy as that. Both teams

have been getting better throughout the tournament but both teams have

yet to perform at 100%. So, I think today is the day. YAMy, semifinals

are notorious -- Jamie, semifinals are more nerve-racking than finals.

When you captained England in 2008, as you led the team out did you feel

nerves? A little bit, I'm pretty focused and determined when I come

out of the tunnel there, just prepared to do whatever for England

to win but unfortunately we came up short in 2008. I expect England to

do one better today and get to the final. I can't wait for the game.

Neither can I, you got the try but by that stage you were 16-0 down, so

a good start is vital? That's key for England. In a kicking game get

themselves in the contest. O'Brien Noble, England's build up to this

game dominated by team selection again, no Rangi Chase, are you

surprised by that? On a couple of fronts but not on others. His last

game was not the best. Steve said he was dropped for form reasons. Chase

case will have to live with that. A change of direction is probably my

worry. He's stuck with Rangi Chase for a couple of years, and so for

this change of direction. I feel like Jamie. I feel the team is still

strong, solid. These things happen in a World Cup. It might be through

injury you lose the key player and having the right 24 is the key to

the balance. I think they have. Have they lost a bit of an X-Factor with

no Rangi Chase in the side. Would he have tried things against the Kiwis

that he tried against Ireland and Fiji? More than a likely to. That

kind of impulsive X-Factor player. It's some of the more fundamental

things in the game that will get them over the line, how well they

kick the ball, how well they start, how well they chase the ball. I

think if they want a big player they still have enough players to find

that big play. Do you think he might have been left out for that very

reason. That he might have tried something today that could have cost

England, without being, you know, disrespectful to Gareth Widdop, is

he a safer option? I wouldn't say he's safer. The one thing that Steve

McNamara does by bringing Gareth in the frame is that New Zealand

haven't seen -- haven't had as much exposure to him at international

level. There could be an X-Factor for England. Let's hear from the

England coach. Steve we're all looking forward to a

terrific game this afternoon. How big a decision to leave out Rangi

Chase? Any decision, when you're selecting a team is important and

throughout this tournament we've had some selection problems. For this

week, for this game, I thought Gareth Widdop was right to start

this match. That's who we have gone with. Has this changed the way

you'll play? We have to focus on how we'll play. Gareth suits that, he's

been waiting for his chances but gets his start and we look forward

to seeing him play. Everyone has been so impressed with New Zealand?

It's a great game. We'll be challenged today. They'll be

challenged A brilliant arena, big crowd. What is it going to need, an

80-minute performance? Of course it is. Both teams will play well today.

No two ways about that, we're going to play well, they'll play well.

There will be fine margins and we have to make sure we're on the right

side of those fine margins. Thank you. Steve McNamara talk to Damien

Johnson. Here is the England starting 13 and the four on the

interchange bench as well. Jamie, when you look at that, is that the

strongest 13 available to Steve McNamara? Yes, I like the look of

the line-up, Grahams and Burgess in the middle and Burrow off the bench.

He and Widdop have real pace off the mark and can take advantage of the

big size of the New Zealand guy Z. Let's take a look at Sean O?Loughlin

and talk to us how influential he could be? A real key. A real

players' player, the man most important to Wigan. Sam Tomkins is

important but Sean O?Loughlin is equally important, more so, I think.

A true world-class player. We'll see some of his highlights. He brings

intensity every week in everything he does. He leads the linout here,

look at the end of that. That's what he brings as well. We'll see quite a

bit of that this game. Part of the game is for JAM Robinson to get out

there. The next man is Sean O?Loughlin. This leads to a try for

England. Now something that's key, if England have to stop Issac Luke,

they need to do this, not get beaten on the floor. Here we're going to

see his defensive work again, they're the finer points, this is

technique work from Wigan. He works hard back here again. But he's not

prepared to quit. Some players would quit here. He comes into the space

where there could be a break. We see him walk forward here. Stops a break

and again gets up and works hard at marking. An exceptional player. Now

the finer points of his play; someone has made a break, he's about

to set everybody up. It's like a halfback player, a one hundred kilo

halfback, takes the ball to the line, attracts three French players

and allows England to score again. His skill and skill set will be

crucial to England today, defensively and offensively. 'S

combination of creativity. He's a world-class player. Interestingly

enough, he's always been missing for big games for England over the years

when they've wanted him, through injuries. He's available today. I

agree with Jamie, he's huge for this team, not only the 100 kilos but his

presence alone. Billy Slater, the Australian fullback will join us at

half time to give us his thoughts. John Pil KICHLT in is -- Pilkin is

our pitch side man. What will Gareth Widdop bring today? He'll be

coveted. He's a great running ball. There's an assumption that with

Rangi Chase not playing England have a lack of running threat, Gareth

Widdop is a really running threat. He compliments the kicking game, the

long-distance kicks turned New Zealand around will be crucial for

England today. Do you have any concerns, John, that that will be

the first time Gareth Widdop and Kevin Sinfield have started as a

combination? They trained together a lot, spent great time in South

Africa. That time together means that they are well used to each

other. Communicating well and I think the halfbacks need to have a

big game today but more importantly for me are the forwards, the England

pack have a real defensive job to do. Controlling the speed at which

New Zealand want to play, and really nullifying the threat of Issac Luke

who's been one of the standout players in the competition. These

England forwards have to be really disciplined and have intensity that

they haven't shown in this tournament so far. That's one of the

words that I think Steve McNamara will have focused on throughout his

speech to the forwards before this game, intensity and having played in

Test matches, I played in a World Cup semifinal alongside Jamie

Peacock, let me tell you, there's one thing required to win a Test

Match and it's intensity. It's intensity for 80 minutes. These

England forwards have to show an abundance of that. Off the back of

that the little plays from Sinfield and Gareth Widdop will allow England

to get back on the front foot. Kick the ball long, chase well and build

pressure. The key word is intensity for England today. Good stuff, John.

Thank you very much. Obviously if you were watching us last week,

you'll know why John was still keeping his distance from James

Graham. Let's concentrate on New Zealand, because the holders have

had a very impressive tournament so far.

COMMENTATOR: Johnson scores, have a look at Isaac, Johnson gets another.

Williams has a go. Sonny Bill has done it again. Johnson, the speed of

their work is just too good. Sonny Bill Williams Sonny Bill Williams

has scored again. So far so good for the Kiwis in this

tournament. Their coach Stephen Kearney is with Damien. Stephen,

games, I suppose as a player and a coach you dream of? Certainly. I

know it's an opportunity for everybody involved with the group.

Today, a big game, semifinal with the opportunity of progressing to

the final. Up against a really tough opponent, so I know the lads are

looking forward to it. New Zealand haven't been stretched too much in

this tournament so far. Is that a concern, perhaps, your boys perhaps

a little under cooked? Again, we can only deal with what's been put in

front of us. Each week we've been mindful of that. We had areas where

we needed to improve and I think we've done that. We understand what

we have in front of us today. It's going to be a really tough contest.

We've prepared accordingly. There's been disruption in the England camp

throughout this tournament. Do you take much notice of that? Not at

all. Sometimes things like that. I think from the beginning of the

tournamented there were -- tournament, there were a couple of

issues at the beginning of the tournament. I have seen them get

better and better each week. Sometimes things like that bind a

team together even closer. We're under no illusions what we'll be up

against today. Thanks. Robbie, you can level the criticism

that they haven't been tested in this tournament but Stephen Kearney

is right, they can only play and beat what's been put in front of

them? That's exactly right. They have been working towards some

structure that they can take through into the semifinals and into the

final itself. There you see, Waerea-Hargreaves s, one of the big

play is that the Kiwi front line have to punch holes in the line.

There we have Sonny Bill Williams, Simon Mannering moving at speed.

Then the Scottish defence have to deal with them which creates that

two-on-four. It's that good the ball doesn't have to go on hand. They can

do a bounce past, it's part of the game play P the team is that good.

Collectively they can do that as a team but what makes them special is

the individuals they have in their teams. Tuivasa-Sheck has been

brilliant in this tournament. Keep your eye on Danny Brov thinking,

what's gone on there. Back to this man who we call "the man "Sonny Bill

Williams as well. He runs like a back but built like a forward

setting up the try to Shaun Johnson, talent across the park and that's

what New Zealand bring. We'll talk about Sonny Bill and hear from him

in a moment. England can't just focus on that one man. As Robbie

said, there's talent across the side. They can't. They have nine

world-class players and they can burn you individually. That's why it

has to be a team effort from England today. What I do understand and know

is that there are some pretty good players in the England team as well.

OK. We saw earlier Jamie lead England out in the 2008 semifinal.

The man doing that job this after-Noone, his Leeds team-mate,

Kevin Sinfield. When I'm in the tunnel, I'm a lot

more focused when I come out to play, to walk out at Wembley with

70,000 England shirts, it will be unbelievable.

You're desperate to play well and impress. It's a huge honour to wear

the shirt. You want to do it justice.

We prepared really well. We've had some tough games along the road. I

think we're in a good place. We feel the expectation, it's no

greater than what we have internally. We have our own goals,

we have our own views and ideas of where we'd like to be come Saturday

evening. And the support we've had has bun believable. Hopefully we can

-- unbelievable. Hopefully we can make Wembley a fortress and cause

New Zealand problems. They're a great team in fantastic form, you

could argue the form team in the competition at the moment. But teams

have tried to tested and they have been very good at defending and

hitting teams on the break. Hopefully we can ask a few more

questions this week. We'll need to and MOEPfully take them to a place

-- hopefully take them to a place where they've not been for quite a

while. We're prepared for a battle, we're battle hardened and we're

ready to give it our all. It's the biggest week of our careers and to

play in a World Cup semifinal at Wembley on home soil with the

support we've had, it's unbelievable. If you're not ready

for Saturday, I don't think you ever will be. I've got butterflies in my

stomach after that I'm taking deep breaths and I won't be playing rugby

league out there. What kind of captain is he? An exceptional

leader, an inspirational player and a great man. He's crucial to the

game today. His ability to read the game is unbelievable. He read games

set by set, not play by play and has a good understanding of the game.

He's there in the England dressingroom, moments away from

moving into the tunnel and leading his side out. How important is his

kicking game to England today? It's huge. I've been involved in five

final wins off the back of his kick kicking games, he can change

momentum around. We saw him do it against France, and Ireland today.

He tries to get the ball, five from the try line and five from the

touchline here. It's the most difficult place for the opposition

to bring the ball out from. He landed it perfectly there. A great

execution of skill there. After this we'll have a look at the French

game. England were under the cosh for a long period of time here, for

ten minutes defending their own line. He gets the ball early. The

tackle counts and puts in a huge kick. We'll see how far it is now, I

think 73 metres on the fly. We can see England chase hard here on the

kick chase. They present a wall of white, that's been their team, that

wall of white. If England can do this well today, the simple basic

things like this they'll give themselves every chance of winning.

I hope they can do it. O'Brien, what that does, it takes -- O'Brien, what

that does, it takes the pressure off you and puts it on the opposition as

well? One thing England must do today is limit their mistakes in

their own half. They don't want to put themselves under stress because

when you give yourself too much defending your own try line T

becomes too hard and stressful. They need to play at the right end of the

field. Kevin Sinfield will have to kick that more than once down to

that part of the field. Just over ten minutes away from kick-off here

at Wembley where we're going to see some rugby league's biggest names

tearing into each other. Big stars there, but none bigger

than the man in the far corner there wearing the number 12, Sonny Bill

Williams, heavyweight boxer, rugby union World Cup winner, rugby league

superstar. COMMENTATOR: Beautiful short ball.

He's got some freakish talents. The last few years has been an

unbelievable journey, very blessed but a lot of hard work as well.

That's what people don't understand. The old end goals seem to be a bit

shorter than back home. I guess I don't get over the line too much

that often, so it's one of those unfortunate situations that you

don't probably want to be on camera for, but if I am lucky enough to go

over again I'll definitely be trying to, I guess, dive over the line. I

think my experiences overseas definitely helped me become who I

am. Just gave me that extra boost of confidence to be content, to be

happy, that's probably the biggest thing with becoming a Muslim is that

within myself I've become such a happy person. World-class players,

without a doubt. Definitely players that we're going to have to, I

guess, contain if we're going to go all the way in this World Cup.

Burgess, taken by Sonny Bill Williams. He definitely held his own

in the NRL. He is definitely up there with Adrian Morley as one of

the best players to come out of England. I would say by the time

he's finished he'll probably be the best player who has come across.

COMMENTATOR: Here is Williams, Sonny Bill. Superb play by New Zealand. I

played in a few big stadiums, I guess you still get those

butterflies, but I guess that's what you play the game for. You can't get

too caught up in the hoopla that goes on around those games. You have

to tick the boxes and get ready for a tough game.

As long as I'm playing well, it's all good. Simplicity is the key... .

I just made that up! Brien Noble, Sonny Bill Williams against Sam

Burgess in international rugby league is mouth watering, isn't it?

Some of us have just shown up to see these two go up today. Look at the

metres they made in this tournament. World-class players and it will be a

clash of the titans, it's a film called that, it's on show today with

this. They had class before with the NRL. Boy do they clash? They're two

big beasts, aren't they. Do you know, the back of their mind, they

have to come up together today sometime and. Jamie, you were

telling us just before of one of your first encounters with Sam

Burgess? Yeah, a bit similar to that. We were playing and he kept

running at rob Burrows, I said is to be running at the little guile, run

at me instead. He did, and the last thing I saw was his size 13 on my

head. How do you envisage that clash between the two? I think it will be

fantastic. If you've never watched a rugby league game, tune in today and

watch out for these two. Superb athletes. What will the final words

be in that New Zealand dressingroom. If people are tuning into rugby

league for the first time, yes, Australia are the favourites for

World Cup, but New Zealand are the holders? That's exactly right.

Stephen concerny's final words will be treat like the final. Don't think

about Australia next week, but treat this like the final, this is the big

one. Also, I'm guessing as well, don't get carried away or don't

believe everything that you've read or heard about what's been going on

with the England camp over the last three to four weeks? Definitely

right. Steve Kearney, like he said, those sort of things can make a team

like England stronger. What they need to do is make sure that they

really go in there and they perform at 100%. This game could go either

way. The best team on the day. For England, one of the big things that

England talked about in virtually every post-match injury during this

tournament is how they haven't kept up the intensity for longer than

short periods. Yeah, I think that's the key for England. Have no

regrets, no what ifs, and raise the intensity when we get out there.

Talk is done, let's walk the walk today. Let's go out there, be

England, in front of this massive crowd and get to the final. Why do

you think they have lacked a bit of intense the at times? I think

because they've had periods where they've blown a team away, put on 20

points in 20 minutes and relaxed a little bit. They can't have that

today. I don't think they'll have a period of 20 minutes where they'll

score 20 points. New Zealand are that step up in class. All right,

aside from the Australia game, England have suffered at times from

the opposition not keeping up the intensity. That's definitely right.

They've not needed to and that's the reality. They're going into this

match, apart from New Zealand and England have been culpable for that.

They know they'll have to perform for the full 80 minutes, next week

it will be even tougher. As you can see, the StGeorge's flag was being

unFURLed. There is a Kiwi contingent. The cheer leaders are

ready on the big screen at the moment. You can seat the World Cup

trophy being shown to all the fans. You're the one person who can put

yourself in Kevin Sinfield's Schuster at the moment, Jamie. For

me it's about being focused and being prepared to do whatever it

takes and whatever it takes to win for England, to your team-mates, for

your country. That's all you're thinking about, going out and

playing as well as you can. Let's raise the intensity, let's get out

there, England and win. There is quite determination on those England

faces. Look at them all, staring straight ahead. Not one has turned

to their right to look at their New Zealand counterparts. We're waiting

for the referee to bring them out here at Wembley for the Rugby League

World Cup 2013, semifinal. We still have the haka to come as

well before kick-off in just under five minutes' time. But first of

all, ahead of the semifinal, we have the anthems this afternoon they are

going to be song by Daniel Cook. Would you please stand for the

national anthems of New Zealand and England performed by the games

makers choir and led by West End star, Daniel Cook.

(NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL ANTHEM). CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.

(ENGLAND NATIONAL ANTHEM). . CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.

PLENTY OF GOOSE BUMPS HERE AT WEMBLEY, THE ANTHEMS HAVE BEEN SUNG

AND THE PITCH IS NOW BEING CLEARED. ENGLAND AND NEW ZEALAND ARE 80

MINUTES AWAY FROM A WORLD CUP FINAL. AS THE CHOIR LEAVES THE PITCH

ENGLAND GET READY TO RECEIVE THE NEW ZEALAND HAKA.

Goodness me! They mean business, we mean business, it's semifinal time!

Your commentators for New Zealand against England Brien Noble and

Jonathan Davis. First of all, Dave Woods.

We've had a whole heap of fun in the last few weeks, a tournament full of

smiles. But today the World Cup gets serious. England against New Zealand

in a semifinal. Lining up like this today, New Zealand missing Manu

Vatuvei because of injury. Jason Nightingale comes in. Likewise Frank

Pritchard a late withdrawal from the pack. Phil Taylor comes back as a

forward and Alex Glenn gets a late call on the bench. One or two late

changes, hence the slight variation in numbering for New Zealand today.

England, the brand new halfback pairing premiered at Wembley, Gareth

Widdop and Kevin Sinfield. It's a combination that has to work right

from the off, James Roby back as the starting hooker today. He's ready.

So is he, our referee today is Ben Cummings from Australia. Two video

referees. Graham Atkins and James are the men who run the lines this

afternoon. So many matchups to make the mouth water; who's the best of

the beat, Sonny Bill Williams or Sam Burgess. Tomkins against Locke, Roby

against Hook. England against New Zealand. It's under way and should

be special. Let's get it on! England mean business as well. There will be

plenty of big hits, plent where I more from where they come from as

Issac Luke tries to make inches down field. The one thing they have to

could D do is keep discipline. It has to be aggressive, tough, but you

don't want to see this New Zealand feeling. Four of them ganging up on

Sonny Bill Williams. That's worth the entrance fee alone, those two!

Here comes Jesse Bromwich, steadying drive by him to within five yards of

the halfway line. They're going to have to Marshall Issac Luke very

well today? With the aggressive defence, they still made good

yardage across into the England half. A bit of a tester in the early

stages. He comes through with flying colours. Good take from the wingers.

That's that hit on Sonny Bill. Sam Burgess is struggling a little bit.

Keep an eye on him. England beginning to move it left. Cudjoe

taking on the man opposite. I think they have to pick their game up as

well. The English backs. They have to match their opposite numbers.

Graham with a clambering drive forward towards the 40 metre line.

These are not minutes for the faint hearted in the early stages. Kevin

Sinfield with a decent touch; not quite a touch finder but it made

Kevin Locke do a bit of work. What about that, too. Kevin Locke and Sam

Tomkins not exactly face to face but they're playing for one position at

the New Zealand Warriors next year. Match the players up, world-class

matchups everywhere. Jason Nightingale playing today because

Manu Vatuvei is injured. ? England's game plan has to be simple. Don't

spill the ball in your own half. Oh, Jesse Bromwich spilled it but it is

a ball steal according to the Australian referee today. Westwood

said it was one on one there, so let me have a look at this. I don't

think it was a one on one. I don't think he had hands on him James

Graham. I think that's a mistake. It should have been an England ball.

It's a mistake they'll have to defend. Not being in this part of

the field early in the game. This is what you don't want to do, give them

free position. It will be taken in by Simon Mannering. He was very much

a part of that 2008 World Cup win for New Zealand. Played in the

centres on that occasion. Another drive forward by Jesse Bromwich and

two tackles got New Zealand in a very good position.

Kevin Sinfield dragging him down. New Zealand sniffing that line. Back

it comes to Johnson. GLAEB's defence recovers its poise

but he's a danger. Great recovery from Tomkins. The

referee is not sure, he wants to have a look at this again. He can't

be looking for the try, is SNE He thinks he's scored. We're going to

here from Ashley Klein. He thinks he's scored.

At the moment dropout. OK, we're going to go for a goal line dropout.

It will be no try. No try, but what about the vision

from Issac Luke to try to play and what about the recovery from Sam

Tomkins to deny that play. Sliding tackle, goal line dropout on the

fly. Issac Luke every day of the week thought he got the ball DOUB.

Well played Sam Tomkins. -- down. How close was that. They have to

keep an eye on Isaac, he'll do that all the time. Fantastic positioning

play by this man, Sam Tomkins. I saw on the previous play, Brien, they

will target, Sinfield, there are question-marks over his pace at

international level. That's what they will try to attack. Here comes

Waerea-Hargreaves s. If you think he's a big lad. He has 18 kilograms.

This year his dietician told him to put on 18 till grammes. We all want

a dietician like that. I need to 18 kilograms off! F you think he's a

big They have a man over here in Jason

Nightingale but out of play before he got there. Well handled England,

well handled. Sonny Bill Williams, we have just what he offers this

game. He carried the ball off-loaded and was the first receiver on the

very next play. That's why he's world class. Great defence England,

though. This is an onslaught. Crisp passing, great tackle. Kallum

Watkins. Brien Noble once referred to Jason Nightingale as the

Nightingale train because of his pace. You got a glimmer there. Great

defence but the crisp and execution of the passing, high quality. They

just have to make sure they keep keep possession. Get good field

position. England looking to restore a little poise. These opening six

minutes or so have been mostly played inside their own half.

Oh, taken with real determination from Sam Burgess. He's hurt himself.

I thought he hurt himself previously and certainly smashed again there.

He's going "there's nothing wrong with me" just a little breather

here. Sonny Bill with those piercing brown eyes and that damaging left

shoulder. Oh... Well over the top. Just watch. That's bad enough. This

is illegal this one. The crowd can see on the big screen they can see

the misdemeanor. Made himself popular, hasn't he! An apology to

his team-mates because he knows he's put them in a bit of pressure here.

England get a rare glimpse of the New Zealand half here. Roby rolling

up, Sinfield switching it quickly. And it goes to Charlie, now with one

to beat. He side steps past Locke. But back they come. Foran leading

the chase in defence. There's a man offside. Here comes Widdop and

suddenly a support. That's a great, great play on with

Tomkins. Wrong decision to kick there. They have you had have kept

possession. Put the pressure on the Kiwis!

Foran back into the line. Sonny Bill looking for Burgess there. He was

coming in. That will be interesting all afternoon. Quickly away again.

Graham with the ball away. He got clobbered late there.

Waerea-Hargreaves is obviously the man given the task of just trying to

trouble this England team. He has to do it legal lie or he'll be off. I

like that word "trouble "there. Euphemistically put, really. Isn't

it. Danger here, forward pass surely.

They have the break on. Ryan Hall, where has he come from, the other

side of the pitch? That's James Graham. James Graham's defensive

work there was magnificent. Shown off him and showed him the outside.

England at sixes and sevens. Issac Luke wants to run from dummy

half, he always wants to run from dummy half. But again, the England

defence is good. It's very early in the tackle count. Johnson across to

Foran. Foran gets the kick in, Westwood got the tackle in.

Excellent work by England in defence. What about the scramble

early on. The whole set was all about survival against the Kiwis.

The kick pressure right at the end. This England team are in the mood.

Against any other opposition they played in this tournament New

Zealand would have expected to be 18-0 up here. This is what we talked

about before the game. This is the test they've not had. They've had

their moments in other games... Deary me. That is a RIB particular

letter, I tell you. Tick LECHLT rr. Tickler. That's brilliant confidence

building for England. We're enjoying this. Five tackles gone. Sinfield

with the kick. Halaholo creeping up. It's a hand back. New Zealand to

safety. Just. Just. I can't keep my eyes on it. That's what they have to

do, test them all the time. The ball in the air or the bouncing ball.

There's a 50/50 chance. Penalty. Disappointing for England

because the penalty gives New Zealand a bit of relief. Watch James

Graham's work here. There he is, a prop forward, there you go, get the

JOUD side which allows Halaholo to come across. Great play by a prop

forward. He was in big trouble there on his own. Fantastic play. Remember

that game for St Helens and the team they were playing against and James

Graham chased 100 yards back and kicked the corner flag because he

didn't score the try! I can't remember. It was a great moment, you

had to be there! And the referee will take them back

to where that initial ball was played. Here's Foran. A scrambled

defence again by England. There is a worry on that left hand side, the

right hand side defence for England. They are causing huge, huge

questions there. Sixth tackle coming up. Tomkins is offside. Penalty.

Instinctively he had to catch that didn't he. Very difficult not to.

You don't get a chance for a committee meeting. Sam Tomkins has

to catch that ball and Charnley has to clean it up as well.

Justifiable penalty. Johnson, a no-look and no-look catch

by Sonny Bill. You have to keep your eyes on the ball one of you. Good

play by Cudjoe. Watch him. He makes the decision, you can't see from

that but Cudjoe shot at the line which stopped the ball behind the

player which really, I think, Sonny Bill didn't expect. Johnson was

looking behind him. We see that more and more these days, looking one way

and pass the other. Not only did he fool the defence but even Sonny Bill

was nonplussed. New Zealand dominating. But England have shown

some really good touches in defence. Widdop has been solid so far. Cudjoe

as well. What's James Graham doing? It would

have been six for England. Knock-on, knock-on. I don't think it was. It

looked like that, I thought it was play-on but I'm sure New Zealanders

have touched it there. He's going back for a knock-on against New

Zealand here surely! Not disastrous from England's point of view. They

should get the ball back. That's not a knock-on. That's Roby's foot.

Watch it again. They go down, just watch. Ball goes back, watch Roby 's

foot. He kicks that. It's not the best angle. He definitely kicks it.

That's play-on. I think I think the two New Zealand players thought they

were offside. The ball comes back, they think they're offside. Foot

comes in. Play on.

So, John on the sidelines. What have you made of this start? It's an

intense start to the game. I think the game will be defined by moments

of extra effort we've seen. Fantastic pieces of defensive game A

part of the game that doesn't get celebrated. That chase back from

James Graham was something special. Charnley steps back. Looks for

support, has -- Kevin Sinfield does well to look -- hold on to the ball.

Defensively it has been awesome so far. Spun back to O?Loughlin.

Burgess; what an off-load and score! The pin-up boys of the front row,

Graham and Burgess all day the winners, making that for O?Loughlin.

And England get the first try! That's where their strength is.

Players like Burgess doing something special. A little pass, they run in

pairs, and the off-load. Great support. Just watch James Graham

great ball, support, three forwards, great try, England. It's a nice

threesome to cover the line. James Graham with his skill to unleash Sam

Burgess, Sam Burgess with the prowess to off-load the tackle and

Sean O?Loughlin to finish the play. You wouldn't want three better

players on that play, honestly. We love the 90 yarders, we love it when

there are eight, nine, ten passes in a move, but I tell you what, we love

them as well, don't we? That was a great try! You've just been out

SBWed there by Sam Burgess. That's what you're thinking! This is a good

game. Scramble defence, desperation, this is a good game! We talked

about, since Wembley stadium re-opened, have we seen a really

good Challenge Cup-tie here, maybe not. But the stadium is getting

christened today in rugby league terms, not great for England

football in the last week or so, but England rugby league, so far so

good. These are important as well, the two pointers are crucial.

Sinfield with the kick and he rarely lets you down.

6-0, England lead. They have weathered a hell of a storm. A hell

of a storm or two at the other end. They created their own on the New

Zealand line. A big man and a small man. That's the crucial one there.

They ran right at Shaun Johnson, Burgess at Shaun Johnson, he gets

the off-load and great support from this man, Sean O?Loughlin. Look at

the skill of James Graham to start it off. You have a bloke there that

has done an 80 metre cover tackle and has the dexterity at the line to

place that. I think the interchange will be vital. The pace of this game

is incredible. The interchanges will be very, very important. Matulino is

on the pitch for New Zealand, one of those interchanges. England having

to start from deep again. A good set, solid kick, good kick to start

again. A little too far that kick. New

Zealand looking to work their way out of trouble. In the meantime

Damien Johnson, news from the touchline. I have Liam Farrell with

me. More like it for England? Yeah, a physical start to the game and

looking to build pressure. Defence brilliant from England? It has, it's

been outstanding. A couple of the big boys, Sam Burgess, putting

themselves in there. The Kiwis are giving it back as well. Thanks.

A wall of white has been England's tournament testimony. And it has

been a wall of white so far. I tell you England will be happy

about, defence has been solid and scrambled exceptionally well. Oh,

Cudjoe lost it. Big mistake. Offensively they've only had a

couple of opportunities and they've cut the Kiwi defence open. They'll

be very happy with that. These are mistakes they can't afford. This

physical stuff today won't go away. The Kiwi defence has had to be

exceptional. It took an exceptional play to break them down. What will

happen is that they'll continue their physical presence, will New

Zealand, England have to stay with them. But I think they're looking

good, they look solid, fit. They could do without doing this and

putting themselves under a stressful situation. Yeah, this is with a we

can't afford to do, give New Zealand easy ball in the danger zone. It's

interesting line-up there. Simon Mannering is in the centre. Just for

that... It's not unusually for him to be in that position.

Ferres not quite connecting but England keep the ball. It's strange,

England have to look up and think, if Sam Moa is in the scrum, they

have to have a go at him. Sinfield, suggesting a long, raking pass to

the right and then he tried to outwit the New Zealand defence with

a step. They played the ball, not the cleanest but picked up by Roby.

Tomkins laid leather on this. And he kicks it high in the air. And James

Graham went for a drop goal! That's a great effort. Not ten metres,

that's why the penalty has been given to New Zealand. Sehaving a go

at drop goal! He is, it's extraordinary, extraordinary! It

could have been a difference, that one pointer! The position he plays

demands an element of recklessness. I don't mean he's an absolutely

reckless person but that's a tough place to play. He's showing all the

skills and attributes of a halfback sometimes. Sonny Bill Williams leads

the New Zealand charge again. That's a lazy pass.

Kasiano on the pitch and here he is again.

Well read Gareth Widdop. Very, very lazy play by Kasiano. The first pass

was poor and then there was an interception. Here comes Graham

again. Sinfield's inside pass and Tomkins

runs into his own man. Westwood made the telling challenge

on that occasion. That's a terrific kick from Roby.

It's forced New Zealand to drop out under their own sticks. Well, we

said the kicking game was vitally important and James Roby would have

to play his part in that. That's a pin-point kick and Kevin Locke has

to deal with it. Well done James Roby. Kevin

What a step by Burgess, that would have been special, very special.

It's a penalty for England though. Holding back in a tackle. I'd like

to see this again. Who did they hold back? What about that side step from

Sam Burgess. I don't think Foran has a choice there. He has to make that

tackle if he catches the ball. Of course he has to make it. What a

player this man is Burgess? Are we watching the two best prop forwards

in the game in the world at the moment today in Burgess and Graham?

I think James Graham is definitely up there. I think there are a few

candidates when you look at this World Cup. Sam Burgess plays in the

front row, you would have to say yes. John which will kin? Wilkin?

Yeah, England when they get the ball show great purpose and they've had a

real good method of testing New Zealand's defence. John, you

remember that 90 yard chase back by James Graham and kicking the corner

flag out when he didn't make the tackle, do you? I do indeed. James

Graham is 100% effort everything he does. Even drop goal attempts. He's

been fantastic in this opening period, as have all the England

forwards. What about the foot work here from Burgess. Just a question

for John there, from up here. Why wasn't he in the picture? Burgess

scored a try against Australia very similar to that. And the lessons

from that particular game was that England made very good start in that

game and were looking healthy through the second-half and then the

wheels came off. I tell you what they have to do, when Burgess is on

the charge you have to be with him. As a fullback or halfback, if

Burgess is on the charge, you stick on his coat tails for the off-load.

England eight, New Zealand zero. That penalty from Kevin Sinfield.

That fella is going to carry on running all the day long. The wheels

on this bus ain't going to come off. Penalty England. That's what it does

to you, doesn't it. Keep hitting hard like that they want to try to

slow it down a little bit. I think George Burgess is coming on as well,

hang on! Still George Burgess to come off the bench "If you think I'm

a great player, wait until you see our kid? ". He's been the best of

the Burgess s in this tournament so far? He's been phenomenal. I watched

him in the NFL. He's been. The other kid Tom isn't in the 17 today, and

the other fella Luke is in the England squad. Quite a family.

Terrific family. Back to Widdop. Westwood.

As John Wilkin said, variety has been good. Australia v Fiji are the

next semifinal. They'll be watching on. Tight down that side. They won't

be able to keep it in play. I reckon England are having a pop at Shaun

Johnson. They've had a look at him in the defensive line-up. Sonny Bill

is having to work and work to protect him. He'll run out of juice,

Sonny Bill. Unbelievable athlete that he is, it will take his

offensive prowess out of the game. Definitely targeted. Of the two

halves, you're hot going to run at Kieran Foran. He's as tough as old

boots. He's as brilliant as patent leather but in defence a tough

character. If you look at who Burgess ran at, he ran at Shaun

Johnson to get the off-load for the try. It's a no brainer, a big man on

a small man. 28 minutes played and England lead 8-0 against New Zealand

in this World Cup semifinal at Wembley stadium. It's pretty special

at the moment. England's performance is excellent. Against the World Cup

holders, I don't think we mentioned that so far today in commentary, New

Zealand are the World Cup holders, defending their crown. New Zealand

have been outstanding in this tournament. 34 tries in four games.

They're averaging 46 points a match. Today, at the moment, they have met

their match. The first five minutes it was all New Zealand. There was 20

minutes England have been brilliant. Oh, Johnson's kick, hits an England

player. How is this ruled? Hitting man or man playing ball. Hitting

man. Right decision you would have to say. Yes. It was a poor kick,

that is. I'm not saying they're rattled but their kicking game

hasn't been put under pressure in this tournament. Kieran Foran's has

kicked for free every time he's wanted to, as has Shaun Johnson. Now

they're under pressure and the cracks are beginning to show. Foran

doesn't kick for Manly, Evans the halfback does a lot of the kicking.

Tomkins just took his eye off it and it's picked up by Alex Glenn.

There's no need to do that. Relatively fresh pair of legs on the

field, Glenn, from the interchange bench. Issac Luke going nowhere.

Waste ago lot of energy going nowhere -- wasting a lot of energy

going nowhere, which is good for England as well. Kasiano. Nickname

Dogzilla. Great skip, Foran, with his step. A couple of England

defenders left in his wake. New Zealand sensing an opportunity. Back

it comes. Johnson, Sonny Bill, gathering defenders around him. No

way of moving forward or off-loading. A good job from England

defence. They wrapped him up. Charnley gets up... It's a New

Zealand hand that knocks it back. What a ball! What a ball!

Tuivasa-Sheck Dean Whare expecting his winger to be on the outside,

suddenly realised he wasn't and produced a miracle pass to the

winger on the inside who might have scored the try. Let's have a listen

to Ashley Klein our video referee. Run it through from the first kick,

on side offside. Coming up now... That's fine, that's fine, they're

on-side. Running it through to confirm the challenge goes

backwards. Challenge is fine. Goes backwards. Still playing on. Just

keep running. No hands there, play on. To the New Zealand hand, fine.

Pass out, we need something tight on the touchline here. I can't see the

feet... He has possession... Now we need to look at the grounding. It's

a clean catch. That will be fine from this angle. Well once TUFS TUFS

got the ball in his -- Tuivasa-Sheck got the ball in his hands it was

likely to be a try. The way he got the ball in his hands was nothing

short of a rugby league miracle. You can't defend that. Issac Luke's

vision, for one thing he throws to the wingers there. Then the inside

BAUM is just a miracle ball. -- ball is just a miracle ball. I'm

speechless and I'm paid to say something. That's fantastic A rugby

league at its best, a principling, not the score I wanted deep down,

but you have to applaud the skill and believed that Ferres believed

the ball wasn't going out. Issac Luke's speculative throw over the

top. Tubing tubing there. Well played New Zealand, that shows at

this level keeping the ball alive and looking for an opportunity, wow.

Johnson looking to narrow the gap to two. With the whirring balls of the

Wembley crowd in his ears, ignored. Dead centre from Shaun Johnson. This

is a great pass first of all. Just watch this; FANTDistic play! What a

ball, Dean Whare, look at that, he knew what he had to do. Fantastic.

I think he won the contact there, Kasiano. It's Graham that's gone

off, isn't it, to get hill hill -- Chris Hill on.

Sixth tackle. It's hit the England player again. Still the sixth

tackle, surely. Wrapped up and put down, he didn't

realise he ran out of tackles. Down on the sidelines. Tommy, a moment of

rare genius for that last New Zealand try? It was, amazing skill

from Dean Whare. I think we needed it. What have you made of the game

so far, furious, fast, bruising? At the moment we need to settle into

our game plan a bit better. Giving away too many penalties I think.

Fantastic off-load from Burgess in the middle of that tackle and here

comes Kallum Watkins. It all started with Sam Burgess again. Penalty

England. George Burgess nibbling close to

that New Zealand line. Kevin Sinfield with a step... What a

tackle! Kevin Locke. O?Loughlin double pump. They're hanging on

here, the Kiwis. That's an intelligent kick. It's another

dropout underneath the sticks. Really good play from the England

half, Gareth Widdop. This has everything, this game. A bit of

afters here, a bit of hand in the face.

Great defence here again. Just watch. That's the penalty. Do you

know what, we have not mentioned him. He's come on to the field Rob

Burrow, the way New Zealand - white wall. There's your white wall. JP's

white wall. Down there and making the play. Well done, England.

Offensively England have been very, very good today. Defensively they

have been very good. Yeah. Another of the Burgess clan, George this

time. But to win this World Cup, they have to score tries. I think

they've been brilliant. Another six tackles for England. New

Zealand make the play and England get to camp a bit longer on the New

Zealand line. The initial pass was forward. The

intensity here. Let's find us some injury news. Damien Johnston. A word

about Ben Westwood, disappeared down the tunnel. He needs a stitch by the

eye, he also has a badly swollen cheek bone. He's under the doctor.

The first victim of what is a bruising encounter. That's not going

to keep him out for long, is it, a stitch at his eye and a badly

bruised cheek bone. He'll be back before long. The doctor is under

pressure there, get him stitched quick. That's what the bench will be

saying. This is a great game. New Zealand, I tell you will something,

they've shown some defensive prowess themselves. England are on fire. I

think they've played so well. This is the best I've seen them play for

a long time. And me. I think we might have to go back to November

2006, Brien Noble will remember it well, coach of Great Britain on that

occasion when they beat Australia in Sydney. This is terrific. Really is

terrific from England today. Collectively England have been

fantastic. The one difference, worries me a little bit, is the

individuality of the Kiwi, some of the Kiwi players. They can just do

something magic. They haven't done anything more magic than what

Burgess has thrown up today. No. But when you look at people... Good

off-load. There's a bit of a gap. He tries the

off-load, Locke. And he was being pulled at, Kevin Locke.

This is respect, look, go for goal. Do you think any of the England

players saying to Kevin Locke getting the ball, Sam Tomkins has

your place next year, something like that. Winding him up. I hope so. You

can't beat a bit of sledging. This is respect, isn't it. Great

off-load, by the way. Chris Hill, was it... George Burgess. It's hard

to hide yourself when you're that big. It was the good looking one,

Sir! Rob Burrow has an excuse, he can hide behind something "it wasn't

me". John Wilkin, what are you observing from the sidelines? A

positive point from England is the combination of Sinfield and Widdop.

We questioned whether they would be able to form good combinations in

such a short space of time. Gareth Widdop's kicking game has been

crucial in building some pressure on the New Zealand line.

At least a couple of Kiwis in the crowd are happy about that. Do we

get a shower and rubdown at half-time. This is exhilarating. I'm

sure it's in your contract! We'll be lucky to get a cup of tea! What a

first-half it's been. Absolutely terrific. Gripping rugby league at

its very best. It really has. 30 seconds just under left to play, New

Zealand will finish the half in all probability with ball in their

hands. Jesse Bromwich might run it out, you never know, a bit of a

spill or missed concentration and England could get the ball back.

That's what they'll be hoping. The hooter sounds. Tackles complete. The

whistle blown. What fabulous first 40 minutes. They often say the

semifinals are the boring games. Too much tension, too much at stake.

Anything but today. Absolutely fantastic first-half of rugby

league. Offensively, defensively, the decision making, what a game!

It's been an amazing first-half of rugby league. Best rugby league on

the planet and I'm going for a liedown, tired out. There's still 40

minutes to go, don't lie down for too long! We're going to hear from

some of those who took part in that first-half, Sinfield and Johnson.

Here's Damien Johnston. Shaun, intense first-half, talk us

through how that felt? It felt a bit panic, I think. At first I was just

a bit excited. Once I settled down and get in the rhythm. What's the

plan for the second-half? We have to complete the set. Make them come out

here and do it. Good luck. KEF, really intense start. A great

platform to build on? Yeah, first 40, we can take some Hart from that,

I think the start of the game particularly, the first 20 were good

for us, a couple of errors crept in. We need to nip that in the bud. Your

combination with Gareth is working out well? Yeah, he's a great player,

great to have him in our side. E. . John Wilkin talk to Kevin Sinfield.

When you look at the stats, never mind the score, everything else

shows just how close this match has been, a couple of percentage points

in the possession. Completely level as far as the territory is

concerned, but just reading a load of numbers doesn't really tell you

how intense that first 40 minutes of rugby league has been. Joining Jamie

and Robbie and myself for our half-time chat we have Billy Slater,

Australian fullback. Have you enjoyed that? Sure have, Mark. It's

been an intense half of footie. There's been some brilliant play in

both attack and defence. When -- listen, you will have played in

games like that, but when you're sat here watching, are you taken aback

by how intense that has been? Yeah, it's certainly a semifinal for a

World Cup. Isn't it. The boys upfront aren't leaving anything out

on the field. Both sides are chancing their arm. New Zealand

probably more with the off-loads. I think England are throwing the ball

out the back and chancing their arm. We saw off that scrum, they dropped

that ball. But they have to do that to beat this New Zealand side. SGLOO

we'll talk more about you and the Aussies and your -- State of health

at half-time. Let's talk about who has been England's many man,

probably, in that second-half, Sam Burgess, Jamie? Yes, he's been

exceptional in this half. We can see straightaway from kick-off. How

quickly he wants get down there and amongst it. His first collision with

Sonny Bill. He's been outstanding in that half. He's been the leader in

that team and set a lead for the rest of forwards to follow. I

haven't seen a game Sam Burgess has played that he hasn't played like

that. He loves the confront Taigs, the physicality upfront. --

confrontation. Threes quality mixes in there as well. -- threes quality

mix indeed there as well. Not just a brute of a man, but athletic and

skill. We highlighted that at the start. We didn't highlight it with

Sam, but with Sean O?Loughlin, a mix of physicality and creativity, he

was the man who got on the end of the move that got plane's try? Yeah

-- England's try. Yeah, he realises he wants to put his pet play, with

another front row running with him and somebody out the back. This is

the stuff which is very good. He hits Sam Burgess here and puts him

on the a halfback, a smaller man and O?Loughlin is following through.

It's a great pass and a great start for England. It's a traditional play

for a half to be taking the path along to the front row. But you have

three forwards thereby and when you can have that structure with three

forwards in your side and your ability to put on a play like that

and score a try, it's a great asset. He's lucky to still have his teeth

in, Sean O?Loughlin, the way his head hit the ground. That, Graham,

Burgess, O?Loughlin, you don't want those three running at you. What's

really important, not only can they roll up their sleeves and do the

physical stuff, doing big hits and tracking into the teeth of a

defensive team, but also the subtlety, the touch on the pass and

players working together as a unit. As a defensive line you're having to

deal with the halves and not just what the forwards are doing but the

fullbacks. All those different levels lead to this being the

high-class game it is. Billy, Robbie is a vital member of our team, he

spots things that nobody else sees, before the game he genuinely

highlighted the advantage that New Zealand have when using the bump

ball. When using the bounce ball. It came true. We're talk about the

unstructured play. This typifies what New Zealand can do, space out

there. Issac Luke knew no-one was out there knew Dean Whare would

chuck out the line and chuck it back. You can see, that's where the

space is created because England outside backs had to chase him

because of the uncompromised play but Dan Tuohy has -- Tuivasa-Sheck

has the ability to get to the line. Remarkable. He has that sense to

know I have to get the ball back, there will be some numbers there.

How do you defend against it, it's not a structured play but it's New

Zealand have up their sleeve. Do you think, when you concede a try like

that where in many ways you can't do anything about it, that sheer

individual brilliance, sometimes it takes you a while to get back into

it? Yeah, you need to move past it quickly, England deserved their 8-0

lead at the time Who whoa, whoa. It could have been 12. I think England

deserved it and concede a try like that was unlucky at times. They've

looked class England, they've delivered everything we wanted so

far. Their defence has been fantastic as well. Yeah, they've

been good all over the park. Typified by James Graham's effort.

We have Sam Tomkins here at the start of the game when New Zealand

were pressing on the line. This is what he's going to do when he gets

to the NRL, defend like this. He does that all the time. He saved

another line when Tuivasa-Sheck got to the line and tackled three or

four metres effort. This is what you were talk about. James Graham is

phenomenal competitor. He's smart well. England will need this if

they're going to beat New Zealand today. That's exceptional play from

James Graham. What he does well, people without the experience is go

after the guy with the ball. But he knows he's on his own and has to buy

time. Rather than trying to go for the ball and then it's open play, he

shadows him back and allows Ryan Hall and the rest of the cover to

come back. The scrambled defence has been world class, Sam Tomkins, and

you expect that in a semifinal for a World Cup. But I think both

fullbacks have been great in defence. Both sides have scrambled

well. Both sides have had their opportunities to score tries, but

the scrambling in the defence is certainly held out. You talk about

Tomkins and the scramble defence. We picked a few things of him here with

him on attack but you're more concerned about what's happening

down the Kiwis' left? This has happened three or four times, they

are back to Sam. They have numbers moving in motion and this is

creating what is a worry for me on the New Zealand left hand defence,

but actually that's a strong attribute for England's attack.

They're doing it really well. They've worked on it, they've

spotted a weakness in New Zealand's defence and they keep going back to

it. They'll probably continue to do it for the final 40. Identify like

to see Josh doing a bit better. They need to put them away, do it with

that move. The Tomkins /Locke thing is interesting because of the next

sea season in the NRL, probably good for us in the media saying they have

a prove a point against each other when they are probably just worried

about the World Cupment It will be on the back of their mind. The

current New Zealand fullback and the guy who will take his position, that

will be on the back of their minds. Is he looking animated for you,

Stephen Kearney? I think he's laying down the law there. I think he's

saying, look, boys, you're in a proper Test Match now and you need

to keep that intensity you had in the opening five minutes. We need to

see that for the final 40 minutes. I suppose the good thing for you,

Billy, from an Australian point of view, the more intense this gets,

the bigger hits they are, the better it is from an Australian point of

view. The more they can take... I appreciate you have the semifinal to

play. But the more they can take it out of each other the better? For

sure. Don't worry, there will be some big hits in an hour's time as

well, Fiji don't mind a bit of a whack. It's certainly, you want that

physicality going into a final. So I'm sure the Australians and the

Fiji won't be holding back any either. Talk us through your current

state and how your knee is. We'll show people here how you picked up

the injury against the USA. You might not want to watch this back

but you said to me the pain you felt was ex-crucialating. It was quite

tender. I knew straightaway. I did my PCL about 18 months ago. I ended

up playing the rest of the game, but this I could barely even put any

weight on it. It's feeling quite good now. If we do get through this

game this afternoon, I give myself a small chance. I haven't tested it

yet, I've done a lot icing and treatment from the physio. The

swelling has gone down a lot. Because the ligament was already

injured and they didn't repair it, hopefully it will settle down

quickly. If we do get through this game today, I do give myself a small

chance. Which is remarkable, given the pain you were in and how you

couldn't put any weight on it as you left? Yeah, yeah. I thought I was, a

couple of days ago I thought I was no chance but... I do give myself a

small chance, but I have to put myself through the paces and make

sure I'm up to playing in a final. Talk to us about Greg English who

will play fullback in your place. He seems like an impossible man to

tackle. John Wilkin was saying on our highlights show, if you go low

he can push you out of the way and if you go high, he can push you to

the side. His reach is immense? He's an amazing athlete. The size and

strength of a front rower, the strength of a halfback and pace of

outside back. Put those together and you have the ultimate footballer. A

great player and we're fortunate to have him in our side. He throws

about three off and still gets to the ball over over the line. It's

unfair, isn't it. No human should be allowed to do that! How would you

tackle him, Jamie? Round the head! Coming up against players like that,

I used to use the tactic of trying to be on the opposite side of the

field? That STRIBLG speaking isn't tackling him! Let's put you in the

direction of our coverage of the World Cup final, next Saturday

afternoon build-up begins at one. 45.

Thank you very much for coming in. You Australians have been a delight

to deal with during this World Cup, which is slightly annoying for us,

because that means we like you and we're not used to liking the Aussies

and thank you for not mentioning the cricket. Much appreciated. Thank

you. We wish you well and hope you get fit for the final. Appreciate

it. All the post-match reaction from Jamie and Robbie to come, after the

second-half. It is tight, it is tense. Who knows what will happen?

Let's hope Brien has had a rubdown, let's join him and Jonathan.

We're looking forward to the next 40 minutes with some relish. That was a

fantastic performance by England in the first-half but now they have to

repeat it, they have to do it again? Yeah, great first-half and more of

the same in the second, please, if you're an English fan. New Zealand

will be different. They've been put, the hornet's nest has been put now.

It's about England maintaining their composure we've seen. Same rules,

get out of your own half with minimal errors. Kick the ball well,

get the white wall going and show that great shape and structure we've

seen from England. Are the Kiwis coming out here or not? England have

been out for a couple of minutes. While we wait; here they come,

finally. What have you made, Jonathan Davis as a former rugby

league stand-off, what have you made of Gareth Widdop in that position? I

thought the combination was very, very good, him and Kevin Sinfield.

As John Wilkin says, it looks a better balance. Their kicking game

is complemented because he takes a bit of pressure off Sinfield. Also,

I think he's more direct than Rangi Chase. I think that's been good

today because he holds defenders, creates space out wide for Tomkins,

which has been very, very good. I think more of the same in the

second-half. I think England have to believe they can win this game. That

is the main thing, believe, go on, grab the game by the scruff of the

neck and go on and play the final. You look around at the England

personnel out there and you think, the likes of O?Loughlin and Burrow,

Watkins, Charnley, Tomkins, players who in England have achieved big

things in the last few years with their clubs, who have won these big

games? TLAR lot of big-name players out there. Won trophies, been

involved in the natural setup for a long time. They know it's all about

this second-half. With it being an 8-8 scoreline, they have to do the

same things, play the same way. What we know about the New Zealand team,

playing in the competitions they play every week, they'll play for

the full 80 minutes. Also, you have some players who play against these

boys every week in the FL, they beat these -- NRL. They beat these boys

week in and week out. Good quick play of the ball which

gives Burrow a bit more time to take his kick. So he'll be a bit

disappointed from that. News from Damien Johnson and the dressingroom.

The England from Steve McNamara, don't worry about the score board,

take, finish the sets off better. From the New Zealand dressingroom,

Stephen Kearney says, be patient, stick to the game play, Aberdare.

They're not going to go for goal this time, surely, put it in touch.

He's not one for taking a backward step, is he? No, he's not. What's

his nickname? Frank Paul the wrecking Paul. If you think he's in

a bad mood, cranky Frank Pritchard is not playing today. Just as well.

He's not made the line-up because of injury.

There was a hand from an England player, Ryan Hall picks it up, but

it's a knock-on. Another set of six for England to defend. Early

pressure for England to deal with. Outnumbered there on the fringe. Was

it Cudjoe or Hall who got his hands to it in the end. Here's the Johnson

speculator over the top and it's Cudjoe who deflects it off. He has

to do that, if they play the blitz defence Cudjoe has to get something

on the ball. He can't allow the ball to go beyond him because there was

an overlap. That's what he did. He knew that and he had to do it. A

question for you, Dave. Frank Paul and Pritchard, are they collectively

known as the Crankies! Over he goes! Tuivasa-Sheck with his

second try of the game. Or has he? Or has he? They're going to have to

have another look at this. Tuivasa-Sheck is celebrating. But a

video referee required. Let's hear again from Ashley Klein. Checking

for obstruction. That's fine. He's caught on the outside. Passes before

I'm happy with that. It will be a try.

Nothing wrong with that. They were looking for the possible

obstructions from the dummy runners, but no problems seen by Ashley

Klein. It is a second for the day for Tuivasa-Sheck and eight now he

levels with Ryan Hall in terms of tournament tries. New Zealand lead

for the first time. We just mentioned that, Brien, about the

blitz defence. If you come in, you have to block, just watch. They come

in. They have to kill the ball. If they play that game defensive game,

you have to stop the ball going out. He just got a hand to it earlier on,

just watch... . Ryan Hall comes shooting in really, had to stay out

a little bit. High risk, isn't it? It is high risk and if you get it

wrong you look badly exposed there as Ryan Hall did. You have to work

in conjunction with Cudjoe and stop the play the minute the ball is in

hand. I think they had the numbers there to solve that another way

there. I think they could have gone up and held.

The king is a decent one but he's put it just wide. It has gone just

wide. The first miss of the day. So there is some consolation in the

moment for Steve McNamara and his England side. It is only 8-12 that

they trail at the moment. The ball goes wide. A great finish though.

He's some star, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, from the Sydney Roosters, winger of

the year in the NRL last year and every likelihood he'll be at full

fullback soon. How many fullbacks do they have playing in the NRL! One in

every team! Well done, well done. I could see that coming from a mile.

Anyway, New Zealand in possession. It needs a response from England and

this is the first time they're going to have to respond from behind in

this game. They're chancing their arm with off-loads, the Kiwis, the

particular feature of the style of play they have. With the big blokes

going forward. England have to get back in the game here.

Look at Kieran Foran getting in there with a very good tackle. He

really is a good player, Kieran Foran. England have to go through

the same process they did at the start of the first-half. They have

to get into these big New Zealand forwards and take some juice out of

them. Kick the ball wide and get them on the roundabout. Turn it

around all the time, retrieving ball. Use their own physical prowess

and crack a few dents in the New Zealand time and they've kicked the

ball. Very good defence. They drifted

wide. That's the only thing, they had plenty of numbers there. They

had the running side shoulder to hold the defensive line.

Good chase by England. The one dingtive touch for me is the pace

they play the ball. New Zealand, I feel seconds quicker which gives

them that little advantage on the attack. Oh, no. Penalty penalty New

Zealand. John Wilkin, what news on the touchline? Just on that point

about the play the ball speed. We have two guys going to come on, with

James Graham and James Roby. Who really concentrating on winning that

battle. Really important players for the England team, in the next ten

minutes, just to grab control of the game again. They've let it slip and

an interesting moment in the game right now.

A skipping run and on to Issac Luke and Sonny Bill Williams.

On it goes from F-P Nuuausala F-P Nuuausala very, very quick.

There's a hint of a knock-on, England complain - hang on too long,

penalty New Zealand and another chance for them to hammer this

England line now. They did well to hold him.ic he dropped the ball

there. -- I think he dropped the ball there. That's what Burgess is

calling. He said it's a steal. Hang on, hang on. He might have his mind

changed, might he? No, he won't. Forward comes Jesse Bromwich. That

wall of white needed more than ever at the moment. Johnson, look how

many here and it's going to be a hat-trick? No, England defence...

Ce... How good a reaction was that from England the ball has come back

and they got it as well. I've no idea where the ball was. That looked

a certain try! Great defence from England.

Desperation stuff; heart, ticker, courage, call it whatever you want!

Sinfield, they might have felt a little aggrieved, England there,

having that penalty awarded against them in the first place, but no

sense of any kind of self-pity. They got on with it. Changes made as

well. Graham and Roby are on, that will give them go forward quickly,

as Jon said. Look at that defence! There the

reaction. Good run,good angle. Westwood back on the field has

helped give England a physical presence.

Tomkins goes up, collects. Oh, what's he done? That's Widdop.

Holding. I'm not sure there was holding here, a definite block

maybe. Gareth Widdop faulted his line and knocked him off the ball.

Keep an eye. There's which hadded coming out. He's allowed to go to

the ball, obstruction. -- Widdop coming out. He's allowed to go for

the ball. They have decided to go for goal. They didn't go for goal on

the previous steal on Sonny Bill and now they've changed their mind.

There's a compliment to the English defence. 50/50 them, sometimes

they're given and sometimes they're not. Just watch here. What he's

saying, he's impeded the kicker from challenging for the ball at least. I

understand the decision. Sometimes they're given, sometimes they're

not. It's worth mentioning if he kicks this, the gap is six points

and still a long way to go, but it's likelihood of a draw becomes a

little more likely. Golden point extra time if required today.

Johnson is successful. Three out of four, eight for England, 14 New

Zealand. A little bit more daylight between the team in black and the

team in white. From an England point of view they

need to get out of this lull which they've been in since half-time

really. Here comes Sinfield with the kick.

Even this early in the second-half I think the next goal is important.

You don't want a team of this calibre going two scores. England

just need to get a level of possession now. They've been starved

of possession and field. I think it's come down to a couple of

penalties near the halfway line, Dave. They've just conceded

penalties and then conceded possession and territory.

Tomkins gotted up superbly well to claim that as his own. They didn't

want any mistakes there, did they. I do like the way Sam Burgess just

changes the pace when he takes the ball. Issac Luke changed the pace of

James Graham there! It's a big pack England have on the

field at the moment. A bit too far that kick. Well fared by

Tuivasa-Sheck, good chase by Widdop. News from the touchline, Frank

NEWSREEL: The New Zealand prop, the latest victim of what is an

increasing bruising game, being treated for his knee, the doctor

working intensively on him. His afternoon may be over. I don't think

a decision has gone England's way in this second-half? I'd be interested

to do this one -- to see this one, you can't do this against this

quality team. This will take its toll on England if you keep giving

the free decision. It's adjudicated that the O?Loughlin played the ball

on Goodwin. It's hard to argue against those penalty shots.

Have a bit of that. ! Reestablishing the authority in the front row. Been

off the field for a while, James Graham says, now I'm back! You could

Z that clearly. There you have, Tomkins now. Skips away from the

first tackle of Alex Glenn. Finds room in the middle. He can destroy

with those fancy feet. That should have been a penalty. On

comes Sinfield. Oh, no. Penalty England this time. That's it. I

thought he'd given a penalty for a knock-on, but there was a late hit.

Kasiano came in, I think he had a call from the touch judge. Good to

hear a Welshman getting so passionately behind England, by the

way? Wales are not in the competition so you have to support

England. You have to support England against New Zealand and Australia.

Six tackles for England to ask a few questions of this New Zealand

defence at the start of the second-half. Westwood puts it back

to Tomkins. Great run from Tomkins. Tomkins slips over on the Wembley

turf, disappointing end to that particular tackle. Widdop - puts the

foot down. They need a repeat set now. .

It's another six. That's what we wanted. I thought he said play I

don't know. Another set. They get the repeat

set. Here comes Roby and listen to the

crowd! Roaring this England side on. Sinfield! Watkins, Kallum Watkins!

England try. Great goal. Great goal Kevin Sinfield, what an angle from

this young kid, Kallum Watkins. The noise at Wembley has just reached

roof-lifting proportions. 14-12 with a Kevin Sinfield kick to tie us up

again. Another feather in Kevin Sinfield's cap. This is a great

ball. This is a half-touch ball to say, James Graham out the back.

Kevin Sinfield has to find the runner but it's a great line from

Kallum Watkins, otherwise that doesn't happen. Well played England.

Goodwin good is -- his eyes are on Ben Westwood. Watch Ben Westwood.

Ready to commit the shot. There, held up the centre, what a ball,

what an angle; great try, England! This kid reminds me of a young

Ellory Handy. There's a compliment. He could be the next superstar in

rugby league. He's had a lot of injuries over the years which has

hampered his career. He has it all, I'm telling you. We've not seen a

lot of him in this World Cup so far. Sinfield to make it all square; oh,

he's just put it wide. Just pulled it wide. But it's game-on.

Just watch again Unbelievable ball from Kevin Sinfield. Westwood

attracts the defender but he's on the fly. He would have been hard to

stop anyway. He doesn't do anything Westwood but because he's there he

holds up the New Zealand centre. Sam Burgess is just, he's an

absolute machine today. He really is. He's an absolute machine week in

and week out. That's what they want. Now it's England getting the

decisions! Steve McNamara, Paul Deakin looking on. You wouldn't want

to get between those two. Dogzilla and Burgess I thought you meant

between Steve McNamara and Deakin. And a special guest from Jon Wilkin.

What do they have to do? It's a finely balanced game and we have to

stick with that. Keep knocking the sets out. I'm sure New Zealand will

be doing the same, but I think coming out in this second-half, we

conceded a try but the boys got back to the game plan and scored a good

try there. We have to stick with that. Thanks.

Just under 20 minutes left to play. Westwood to Watkins, who

threatened... Just about held on in that New Zealand line.

Holding on, holding on, holding on. How long does he get to hold on? The

halfback combination, good balance. Sinfield really, really playing

well. He's given it away to Sonny Bill and

Sonny Bill tried to off-load. Tuivasa-Sheck... He's given it away,

England have it back. New Zealand are rattled.

Come on, England, shout the crowd. O?Loughlin knocked it on. Chance,

chance, chance. Was it a moment, was it the moment. That was the

opportunity. He takes it he's in. Does a knock-on, there are numbers

on the right hand side. That was a great catch from Hall. He

flicks it in, INTV keeps it up. Tuivasa-Sheck clearly hasn't got it,

I think he was juggling it and trying to get it to another player.

Look where they are. That's the one thing about New Zealand, they'll

want to play and they'll try to the off-loads all the time. They can

implode sometimes. All Sonny Bill had to do was keep hold of it! You

tell him! No, you. Jamie peacock, second-half, just as

impressive than the first? Definitely. England's resilience was

outstanding. What we'll see in the second-half is how vital discipline

is. We saw New Zealand score a try from three or four penalties and

then England score a penalty off the -- score a try off the back of a

penalty. So come on England. Issac Luke making space for himself.

Terrific from Luke, but Tomkins doing just enough. The off-load

tried. Where's it going? Knock-on is the first one. It's England's.

Questioning there. They're going to need oxygen tents

after this game. Them or us! Both, we'll borrow some. They can get the

first go, I think they earned it. They can have a go in the ice bath

while we have the oxygen tent! Such a quick game. You know, # four

minutes gone in this game, second-half has flown.

O?Loughlin banging forward again; how good is that man! Graham, they

don't know what he's going to do, do they, he might be SUSHLG -- surging

at them. Pass at the... Quick hands here. Play on, here comes... Ryan

Hall for the corner. He slipped over! Normally he makes that left

wing his own personal particularer tape parade, not this time, not this

time. Ticker tape. Maybe it's the right wing with Charnley of the

Great defence. Ticker tape. Maybe it's the right wing with Charnley of

the Great defence. The referee says play on. Now it goes, Burgess...

Sam. Sonny Bill on him again, that's a great contest, Burgess/Sonny Bill.

They're going to make the tackle. JEE dropped it. That's a very clever

kick because it's another set of six. Real good control under

pressure. I thought he dropped it. He's checking. Just watch. Great

kick. Again, though, I don't know why he kicked so early in the tackle

count. Six more plays. He kicks early, because it's a great skill

and comes off. It's the bloke next to him complaining -- it's the bloke

next to me complaining, not me. I thought it was a great play. Jon

Wilkin on the side line? I think we're fantastically lucky to be

looking at what I think is the best forward pack in this competition.

The England pack is just outstanding. What they can do with

the ball and defensively against this New Zealand team today has been

nothing short of sensational. With George Burgess on the field now to

add to that impact. I think also, complemented by a fantastic halfback

partnership today. I think they've been solid and the game management

brilliant. Sinfield, Burgess in runs over O?Loughlin and it's slamming

Sam. England have a try. England have the lead. And a World Cup final

is just moving inches closer to their grasp.

How good is this kid? How good is Sam Burgess! I'm telling you. Again,

I think it's Kevin Sinfield that creates the opening for him. There

he goes. James Roby, Kevin Sinfield takes the line on. Attracts SBW and

SB slams the ball down under the ground. What a finish! He was not

going to be stopped. I tell you you looked at him 15 yards out from the

try line and it's as if he scored already. The confidence in this kid

is unbelievable. What's going through the mind of Kevin Locke

seeing that monster run down at you. Balance, poise, pace. ; power...

Plays front prop. It's just a privilege to be here. It's a great

game. Sinfield's kick is a good one. Three out of four. 18 England, 14

points New Zealand. Here we see James Graham attract

attracting defenders. They both go through the hole and off-load. Let's

see how much character this Kiwi side has got. You could write...

for goal. Somewhere near 20 metres. England score again. My word. If,

if. There's George. There's Roby and what a pass, Sonny

Bill steps up to the plate but he's knocked-on.

It's a big call this, a big call. That one is not a knock-on. I think

it's the previous play. The tackle he made on it. Just watch. That's

not a knock-on. I tell you what, that's a big... . He went looking

for that, Sonny Bill Williams. He needed a big play and he pulled it

off. Owe figured got it wrong. -- officials got it wrong. Graham now

who takes it in. These are the characters you want hanging around

at moments like this. Westwood! Oh, he's lost it over the

line. Did he lose the ball? No advantage, I think, to the New

Zealand so they get to head in scrum on the ten metre line. I thought it

was over, he thought it was over. Put the ball down Ben, put the ball

down Ben. Oh... So close! Westwood has a stitch on his face, a swollen

cheek bone. Doesn't care. Enjoying the moment.

New Zealand will come back, they will have a chance. That's Manukau,

their -- that's Simon Mannering. Their skipper.

Making the metres. Not doing too much damage but making the metres up

to the halfway line so when the kick comes they'll be in a decent

position. Sinfield takes it and England back in possession. So What

a mistake by Bu, from a New Zealand perspective, how is this playing out

right now? Better if you looked at it before England took the lead from

New Zealand's perspective. But the chip kick exEFRMS FIES what New

Zealand will do from now on. Eight minutes left. They have to TLOI

caution to the wind. -- throw caution to the wind.

They're on the sixth tackle. It doesn't come. Bit of a slip by Jason

Nightingale. Metal studs on the concrete surface. Tap back on the

20. Utterly capital VAGT. England's

performance today is -- captivating. England's performance today is

terrific. But New Zealand have added to it as well. G. England's

performance today is terrific. But New Zealand have added to it as

well. Sonny Bill Williams on the rampage. Johnson throws it back in.

Here comes the man Tuivasa-Sheck tackled 25 out.

Still taxles in the bag. -- tackles in the bag. England's defence, that

wall of white. It buckles together again. There's not one Burgess here.

Here comes another one. You have to say there, the best players on the

planet are out there today. Johnson quick hands. Cudjoe; oh, Ryan Hall

knows had he caught that, 80 yards down the field he would have been

almost certainly celebrating an England victory. He did well to get

there, to be fair. He did well to get there. It was a Keane breaker

one way or another. Look at that, the reaction says it all.

Six tackles to ask the question of this England defence again; have you

got the character to keep this Kiwi threat out? This is a big set of

six. The crowd are finding their voice. The mythical 14th man.

Oh, they've blown it. They've blown it on the very first play. England

get the ball back. Dreadful play. That's dreadful play.

Kevin Locke just overthrew that. It was a shocking pass. I don't know

why they went so wide early. They had two defenders there. You know,

England had snuffed it out that attack. They got the defence right.

Wembley hasn't resonated to the chants of England, England quite

like this in quite a while. It's been a fantastic game. Fantastic

game. Here comes Burgess; slamming Sam,

who by the way is the man of the match today, Sam Burgess. There were

a few contenders for that, Sinfield was one as well. He's the official

man of the match, Sam Burgess. You have to say hats off to Kevin

Sinfield. He had his detractors leading up to this tournament and up

to this game, but oh, boy, has he delivered today. Kevin Sinfield the

England skipper. Four and a half minutes to play, how

are the nerves? How? I suspect Burgess thought he wasn't square

which is why he put him over. Pushed him rather than tackle him. Johnson

and if he weres with the ball back inside. He's injured.

England won't mind this, they've slowed everything down here, the

Kiwis. There will be a bit more pressure on the kicker than he might

have had. But he still gets the kick away.

Tomkins, Charnley, who's after this, Goodwin got there and got the hand

to it. He's given a dropout under the sticks. The New Zealand hand

went backwards. Goodwin did well amongst that CLUSer of England

defenders. -- cluster of England defenders. Another set of six here

for England to defend with three and a half minutes to go. We're loving

every second of this but sometimes you just want the hooter to sound

because you can't stand the nerves much more than this. They are being

stretched to the limit. Kevin Sinfield, as cool as ice with a drop

kick from underneath the sticks that takes the ball into the hands,

ultimately, of Monika -- Matulino. Issac Luke, England

defending and New Zealand rolling on, Sonny Bill Williams wants a

piece of the action. He gets a piece of England's defensive might.

Four tackles gone, wants the penalty; the referee says get up.

This now is Goodwin; Goodwin cuts back in. Good defence. That's five.

Kieran Foran kicks it high towards Ryan Hall. It's England's ball! It's

England's ball. It's a knock-on New Zealand. The handover. I tell you

what, N. . Two and a half minutes to play. New Zealand will get one more

go with the ball here if things pan out the way they should. Here they

go. It's a smash-a-thon now. World Cup holders on the verge... Of

giving their title up. World Cup hosts on the verge of making a

final. Sinfield's kicking back down the middle, never mind the

touchline. He's going to make New Zealand bring it up straightaway

here. England's defence is ready. This is the set. This is the set.

England make five more tackles. And New Zealand know that. That's tackle

two. Here comes Goodwin. That's the third. Issac Luke and it's slow.

Taken in by Kasiano. Here comes Foran. Good tackle by Hall. That's

tackle four. Oh, no. Was high. Penalty New

Zealand. So they will get another set here. They have one minute.

They're throwing everything at England now. This is it. This is it.

Four tackles to go. Issac Luke; England respond. Big throw out,

Johnson. What a try! What a try! Shaun Johnson with the try. It makes

it all level. With literally seconds to play and now he's got to kick to

win the game. They shot out of the line. They opened up. You cannot

come -- cover a player of this quality, he steps one, steps two.

What a brilliant finish SHCHLT England just lost there. England

just lost their shape. This is the penalty first of all, didn't need to

do it and then they rushed out and opened the gate for this player.

There he is, Sinfield goes early. Bang, off the left. What a try! It

ain't over yet. He has to kick the goal. It's that fella who has the

task of kicking this goal. Wembley is almost silent. Shaun Johnson of

the New Zealand Warriors is the man who might just win it for New

Zealand. This is not a difficult kick but in circumstances like this

it's a little bit tougher. He's nailed it! He has nailed it! It

is New Zealand in the World Cup final. They get to go again to

defend their crown. England simply can't believe the fate that has just

befallen it. What a performance! What an outstanding performance by

England today. But in the end it was seconds away from being enough. I'm

lost for words. It's just so, so close. It's the discipline, that

penalty and then you shoot out of the line against the calibre of

players like Kevin Locke and Shaun Johnson. He steps up to the first

tackle, second tackle. You have to say that is a brilliant, brilliant

match-saving try. Then steps up to take the goal. But what an amazing

game of rugby league. Absolutely fantastic. Is there a sicker feeling

in the world! So, so close. So close. Absolutely heartbreaking. It

really is. Every England rugby league fan, every England sports fan

around the country will know that these 17 players today have given

their all, have come within a whisker of dethroning the world

champions and possibly deserved to dethrone the world champions. But in

the end not quite enough. That was the difference between these two

sides, wasn't it. It was the last play of the match. So New Zealand

are through to the final, whether they play against Australia or Fiji

we'll know in a couple of hour's time. But in the meantime let's hear

from Sam Burgess with Damien Johnston. Many commiserations,

you're man of the match. It was a marvellous performance from England

but I guess that's little consolation at this moment. What are

your first thoughts? Very disappointed for the team. I thought

our effort was there today. We fought through some tough patches as

a team. We showed a lot of strength. Thanks for the man of the match but

I'd rather have the win! Will you reflect perhaps on some half chances

that Ryan Hall and O?Loughlin had? You can't look at that, throughout

the game there were 50 other chances we could have taken, the same with

the other side. In the last 30 seconds we got pipped. The guys are

disappointed. We put a lot of hard work into this tournament. It was a

bruising encounter, everyone expected that, what was it to be out

there? It was a fantastic game of rugby league to play n a great

atmosphere. I must thank the fans for turning out. It was great to

play in this stadium, with my English friends, the Kiwis are big

and physical and thanks to them as well. It's going to take a lot to

get over this A lot of work has gone into this preparation. Thoroughly

disappointed at the moment. Thank you.

Jamie peacock that felt like the fastest 78 minutes of my life and