0:00:44 > 0:00:52Making World Cup history.Everybody is saying go, go and he goes and a
0:00:52 > 0:01:03try. And England settling to the task.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08Over the top to McGillvary. Jermaine McGillvary scores again. What a
0:01:08 > 0:01:24pass. A great finish. It's Slam. Jason Taumalolo. At his best, there
0:01:24 > 0:01:33is no one like him.Hello. The rugby league World Cup has reached the
0:01:33 > 0:01:40semi-final stage and earlier today England took on Tonga in Auckland.
0:01:40 > 0:01:48In the studio with me is St Helens twist, former Australian under 21
0:01:48 > 0:01:52coach Justin Holdbrook and John Wilkin. Today's winners knew they
0:01:52 > 0:02:02would face Australia in next week's final in Brisbane. That's a World
0:02:02 > 0:02:08Cup record. And there are highlights of that game on the BBC iPlayer.
0:02:08 > 0:02:20There was a capacity crowd in Auckland for Tonga against England
0:02:20 > 0:02:25and your commentary team now. COMMENTATOR: The noise, the flags,
0:02:25 > 0:02:32the colour, the spectacle, the emotion. It's amazing. There is the
0:02:32 > 0:02:36king of Tonga, King Tupou VI. The Prime Minister is here as well
0:02:36 > 0:02:43today. Well, they played in some big game atmospheres,
0:02:43 > 0:02:44today. Well, they played in some big game atmospheres, those England
0:02:44 > 0:02:48players. But they have never ever encountered anything quite like
0:02:48 > 0:02:58this.
0:04:11 > 0:04:16Well, we have been sending postcards about the fend at sism of these
0:04:16 > 0:04:20Tongan supporters. I don't think anyone quite believed how ferocious
0:04:20 > 0:04:28it was going to be. It really is. This is their moment here. This is
0:04:28 > 0:04:34an astonishing sporting occasion here, Brian.Absolutely. A
0:04:34 > 0:04:45brilliant, brilliant opening to what should be a great event.And we're
0:04:45 > 0:04:50off to a fabulous noise. Hand in the air from Luke Gale to collect. First
0:04:50 > 0:04:56possession for England. James Graham runs it back. England have the ball
0:04:56 > 0:05:02and a chance to settle with this first set of six.One of their
0:05:02 > 0:05:07mantras will be to complete the first ten sets and take the energy
0:05:07 > 0:05:12away from the Tongan team. The 30 meter area at the other end of the
0:05:12 > 0:05:16field, they are not as dangerous there as they are near England's
0:05:16 > 0:05:21line.One of the advantages England will have is a little bit of wind.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24There is a strong breeze and I imagine they will use that to win
0:05:24 > 0:05:30the field position.There is Whitehead. Up to the half-way line.
0:05:30 > 0:05:40Back to the middle and Gale with a kick. It is high. Hopoate will be
0:05:40 > 0:05:44underneath this and Tonga's first involvement with ball in hand. At
0:05:44 > 0:05:52dummy half. England looking to stifle the ambitions early on here.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Hurrell who we are led to believe had an injury scare coming into this
0:05:55 > 0:06:04match. OK to go. And taken on again and the offload. England have to be
0:06:04 > 0:06:09there at the offload. Tuimoala Lolohea takes them 10 inside the
0:06:09 > 0:06:18England half. England's defence being battered here, but one tackle
0:06:18 > 0:06:29to go. Left it comes. It maybe wasn't as deep as he was hoping.
0:06:29 > 0:06:36It's a penalty for England. Offside. A push, the referee says.A penalty
0:06:36 > 0:06:45England in the 20 meter area. So they will come back for that one.
0:06:45 > 0:06:53Wow. Every tackle. Every tackle is greeted like that. Watkins out of
0:06:53 > 0:07:01dummy half. Graham now. Running back down the channel. Brown on the
0:07:01 > 0:07:12inside. Back for Hill. Hill putting on the footwork. We were talking to
0:07:12 > 0:07:17Josh Hodgson about the atmosphere this week. He said players don't
0:07:17 > 0:07:20notice the atmosphere once we get into the game. I suspect he's
0:07:20 > 0:07:24noticing this noise.He's telling you fibs!
0:07:24 > 0:07:29Here is Burgess. A chance to break. Looking maybe to keep it alive, but
0:07:29 > 0:07:34down he goes. Ryan Hall at dummy half. Back it Gale again. Up goes
0:07:34 > 0:07:41the kick. Not the best from him. McGillvary. Oh, he has given it
0:07:41 > 0:07:48away. Given it away and Tonga have it back again on the 20.Here is the
0:07:48 > 0:07:51catch from McGillvary and the flick pass. Whitehead if he gets that,
0:07:51 > 0:08:06he's under the sticks.It is just as well it didn't go to hand. Will
0:08:06 > 0:08:13Hopoate will search on the right-hand side. A good opportunity
0:08:13 > 0:08:17there, but England's defence is across to close that chance. The
0:08:17 > 0:08:21sixth tackle coming up. Where are they going with it? Slide kick.
0:08:21 > 0:08:27Straight into the hands of McGillvary. He is limited to that,
0:08:27 > 0:08:32but he will be happy to have it back again, England.I don't know if you
0:08:32 > 0:08:36picked up in the offload football for Tonga could be a problem for
0:08:36 > 0:08:40England if they allow them to do that. Six, seven, eight nine tackles
0:08:40 > 0:08:45long in effect.Tonga are playing to their strengths in the opening
0:08:45 > 0:08:49minutes of this game. Going through the middle with their big men and
0:08:49 > 0:08:53the luxury they have is not just their size...That's a great ball
0:08:53 > 0:08:58from Graham. Gale is up there trying to get with Widdop. Widdop is
0:08:58 > 0:09:03ducking away. He has support from Burgess, but he is going here,
0:09:03 > 0:09:08Widdop and stops 20 meters out. A great moment for England.Great from
0:09:08 > 0:09:13Gareth Widdop.Gale is going for the chip early here as well. Hall is up
0:09:13 > 0:09:24there. I think they might have given a penalty away. It is England's.We
0:09:24 > 0:09:28can see a great inside pass there from Graham to Widdop and that's an
0:09:28 > 0:09:32area they will target. They will try and get the big men to move
0:09:32 > 0:09:36laterally and that's a great line break and that will do their
0:09:36 > 0:09:45confidence the world of good.It's Gale. Back to Kevin Brown. They're
0:09:45 > 0:09:51trying to craft something here. It is going to be an opening try for
0:09:51 > 0:09:55Jermaine McGillvary. It is now ten consecutive matches in which he has
0:09:55 > 0:09:59scored for England and England's craft from the moment that Widdop
0:09:59 > 0:10:06made the break to the moment that McGillvary touched down, was
0:10:06 > 0:10:13something to behold.Smart football. They played from the scrum. And it
0:10:13 > 0:10:21is just a catch and pass against McGillvary.Gareth Widdop's kick
0:10:21 > 0:10:24here is in the same position when they were down on the side of the
0:10:24 > 0:10:28pitch, he was practising his kicking from exactly that position. So he
0:10:28 > 0:10:38knows the range. Has he got it this time? Oh yes, he has. The ball
0:10:38 > 0:10:45bounces in. It was a nerve jangler, but it still counts and England lead
0:10:45 > 0:10:49by 6-0.A great start. The inside ball initially. This is a scrum
0:10:49 > 0:10:56play. It is on the back of James Graham. A superb ball to Gareth
0:10:56 > 0:11:07Widdop.Gale. Hill now. He'll take it in. Hodgson. A final tackle.
0:11:07 > 0:11:12Brown with the clip. That's well flighted. It is taken easily, look
0:11:12 > 0:11:15how close he is to his own line. Close enough to encourage that
0:11:15 > 0:11:20England defence to push him back, but they hang on do Tonga, but they
0:11:20 > 0:11:25have got a lot of work to do. Look at England's response.They are
0:11:25 > 0:11:31vigorous. Their line speed is good. Look at that line speed from
0:11:31 > 0:11:45England.Tuimoala Lolohea, his threat defused on that occasion.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49Andrew Fifita there goes Watkins all over him. They're going to have to
0:11:49 > 0:11:52kick here soon because they're running out of tackles, but they can
0:11:52 > 0:12:03always make the break, of course, and Konrad Hurrell will pass on to
0:12:03 > 0:12:14David Fusitu'a. It was thrilling stuff from the Tongans, but the
0:12:14 > 0:12:18Australian referee decides the tackle was completed before the pass
0:12:18 > 0:12:23was made. A penalty for England. First and fore most, breathtaking
0:12:23 > 0:12:33from Tonga. He has decided to spread the ball. In singles. Watch here.
0:12:33 > 0:12:39They've broken free the Tongan side. Ryan Hall and Gareth Widdop have the
0:12:39 > 0:12:43devil's own jobs to do. And you would have thought every day of the
0:12:43 > 0:12:46week they would score here.What a chase back from the England players.
0:12:46 > 0:12:58Very impressive.The big fellas as well, wasn't it?
0:12:58 > 0:13:03O'Loughlin will take it forward. Hodgson goes out of dummy half. He
0:13:03 > 0:13:07hits the shoulder of Hurrell, but comes back and makes the break.
0:13:07 > 0:13:13Hodgson, super stuff. Look where he has put England here. He is hurt
0:13:13 > 0:13:25though is Hodgson. He has taken a real bang to the knee.Hurrell uses
0:13:25 > 0:13:33a bit of footwork and gets past Sio Taukeiaho. I'm not sure what
0:13:33 > 0:13:37happened to his knee.O'Loughlin. Brown with the pass. Whitehead with
0:13:37 > 0:13:41the dummy and he has support from Widdop. Surges for the line. The
0:13:41 > 0:13:51referee is going to ask the question here.
0:13:51 > 0:14:05REFEREE: I have got no confirm. Confirm double moment.So the point
0:14:05 > 0:14:08of the ball has fallen. There is nobody holding him. The ball is
0:14:08 > 0:14:14still up in the air. It's still up. And the ball is now grounded on the
0:14:14 > 0:14:28line. Therefore, I'm going to the board.England have the try. Widdop
0:14:28 > 0:14:35has his second. Widdop's kick is good again. It's two out of two, but
0:14:35 > 0:14:38as far as England's stats are concerned, it is a ten out of ten
0:14:38 > 0:14:44performance. So far, they lead by 12-0.Great ball movement.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48O'Loughlin involved. He does well to push through that hole and realise
0:14:48 > 0:15:05there is no defender on him and continue on.Graham. Gale. Burgess.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09Meat and muscle, meets meat and muscle! The answer is stop ten
0:15:09 > 0:15:18meters out. Walmsley. Here comes the last. Roby and Gale gets it. Widdop
0:15:18 > 0:15:24trying to create a bit of space here. It is knocked on by Will
0:15:24 > 0:15:34Hopoate and this should be England's here.He got swamped there, Widdop.
0:15:34 > 0:15:47I think haf half has knocked on -- Siliva Havili has knocked on here.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52Options right and left. Tom Burgess keeps the ball safe as he drives it
0:15:52 > 0:15:56in on tackle two. They are only five away. Another try here would help,
0:15:56 > 0:16:02but it's Sam this time who can't keep hold. He's claiming it was
0:16:02 > 0:16:07knocked away by a Tongan defender. The referee wants none of that. But
0:16:07 > 0:16:11hang on, the touch judge does. The touch judge on the far side has
0:16:11 > 0:16:18intervened. Sam Burgess was adamant that a Tongan player knocked out it.
0:16:18 > 0:16:24It is Mr Butler who is in agreement and England will get the head and
0:16:24 > 0:16:30feed.Gale goes into the teeth.Yes, just a finger touch there, wasn't
0:16:30 > 0:16:42it?Yes.Here is Brown. Bateman. Almost cutting through. Roby stands
0:16:42 > 0:16:48at dummy half. England standing on the brink of another try here.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53Back-to-back sets effectively for the Tongans to defend, more or less
0:16:53 > 0:17:02on their own line. Roby, Brown, back to Gale. In comes Widdop. But
0:17:02 > 0:17:10Tuimoala Lolohea hangs on. Sam Burgess down the blindside. No
0:17:10 > 0:17:18weakness found. Widdop at dummy half. Gale. Oh, it is a testing
0:17:18 > 0:17:25pass. Well, James Roby has done no favours with that pass. The defence
0:17:25 > 0:17:30rushing up right in his face and he can't keep a hold.He did well to
0:17:30 > 0:17:34get anywhere near it. The width of the pass gave the Tongans the
0:17:34 > 0:17:41opportunity to get forward and rush the England catches.They are
0:17:41 > 0:17:46milking the blindside. Terrific hands from Jennings. Pulled down.
0:17:46 > 0:17:52Jennings is there in support. Look how many England players are there.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Just about every one of the 13 was almost back there. Now Tonga go
0:17:55 > 0:18:04right. Puts the kick on. It's collected by Widdop and that's OK,
0:18:04 > 0:18:09but England in survival mode there were terrific again in defence.Wow,
0:18:09 > 0:18:14brilliant both sides of the fence. Well done, Tonga. The pass down the
0:18:14 > 0:18:21sidelines from Jennings to Tupou was sublime. How many white shirts
0:18:21 > 0:18:26scambled and defended the next play as well.Here is Bateman. He's
0:18:26 > 0:18:35rugged and determined. First 20 seconds of the first-half. England
0:18:35 > 0:18:49will want to see this out safely. Roby.
0:18:53 > 0:18:59He'll go down. The hooter will sound and that has been a terrific
0:18:59 > 0:19:09first-half.
0:19:11 > 0:19:21The crowd, 30,003.There is a few who sneaked in. All over for Tonga.
0:19:21 > 0:19:38A chance now to lift again as Murdoch-Masila takes it.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42How many is there at dummy half again? He'll try and go himself.
0:19:42 > 0:19:50England's defence is too good for that. And it is Manu who waits. And
0:19:50 > 0:19:55Manu is trying to go as well. That's dumb play because England's wall was
0:19:55 > 0:20:04waiting. They are trying to create numbers here. Over the top he goes.
0:20:04 > 0:20:12Absolutely blown away that chance. Tupou couldn't keep hands on ball
0:20:12 > 0:20:21and England survive a real scare. Well, he was in. He was in. The ball
0:20:21 > 0:20:32as well. He found the right pass. Running out of tackles here, Tonga.
0:20:32 > 0:20:44Still inside their own half. Carried in by Pangai Junior. It is deep, but
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Widdop was almost in the area when he caught that. He wasn't quite so
0:20:47 > 0:20:57he has to run it clear.There is an arm wrestle going on in relation to
0:20:57 > 0:21:01who can kick better than who. This will help England if they can stay
0:21:01 > 0:21:08in this game and do this because... McGillvary is a good player.Oh, he
0:21:08 > 0:21:12has been outstanding.Roby does really well to get over the top of
0:21:12 > 0:21:16the defender. Offload to Widdop who has a bit of width provided by
0:21:16 > 0:21:21Whitehead who runs a channel that is concerning from Tonga, but they make
0:21:21 > 0:21:24the tackle stick, but here comes Gale and this is better gus and just
0:21:24 > 0:21:30enough of a challenge from Hurrell to put him down. And the ball has
0:21:30 > 0:21:35been stolen after the referee shouted. I think they're going to
0:21:35 > 0:21:41kick for goal here, aren't he they? Well, I would. I think this arm
0:21:41 > 0:21:46wrestle, we saw the benefits of England, dummy half. Tongans tiring
0:21:46 > 0:21:50in and around the middle. Stick with it. Get the penalty. It takes you
0:21:50 > 0:21:54three scores in front.Widdop looks like he's going to go for the two
0:21:54 > 0:22:01points. Widdop's penalty. Has he struck
0:22:01 > 0:22:07gold? Yes, he has. England have a three score lead. Psychologically,
0:22:07 > 0:22:12if nothing else, that's a huge blow from England's point of view. Tonga
0:22:12 > 0:22:22know that the comeback has just been made a little bigger here. They're
0:22:22 > 0:22:3112 away and getting closer. This is a moment that England need
0:22:31 > 0:22:41to stand strong. Here is Jason Taumalolo, but England
0:22:41 > 0:22:51defenders swarm around and down he goes. Katoa left again.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55We know what he's like, we have seen him in a final and scores from a
0:22:55 > 0:23:02similar range. That's five attempts gone. They only have one left.
0:23:02 > 0:23:13England defending well. He has got a challenge up there. Well, that's one
0:23:13 > 0:23:21of the ways they scored against New Zealand in the group games with a
0:23:21 > 0:23:26leap of David Fusitu'a.I tell you what, look at the number of white
0:23:26 > 0:23:35shirts. Gale is there. Bateman is there. Ryan Hall is doing his best.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40Roby is in at dummy half. Gale with a probing kick towards the corner.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44That's a good kick. That's a terrific kick. It will take a very
0:23:44 > 0:23:48good player for Tonga to get out of here. They tried it, but they
0:23:48 > 0:23:52couldn't pull it off. England's chased superb.That's the first
0:23:52 > 0:23:58class kick you want. That's Gale being smart and kicking the goal.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02And the tiring red jumpers coming in and around the middle. The big
0:24:02 > 0:24:06blokes are doing their job and taking the juice and Luke Gale
0:24:06 > 0:24:14couldn't quite come up with the tackle, Luke Gale.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18Hill with the return on the charge. England setting up camp inside the
0:24:18 > 0:24:28Tongan half here. Burgess. Tom Burgess, that's a good carry. That's
0:24:28 > 0:24:31a terrific carry from Thomas Burgess who has put England right back where
0:24:31 > 0:24:39they want to be, 15 yards away. Roby comes out. Gale slips it away.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44Bateman back on the inside. England have their third try and they have
0:24:44 > 0:24:55one foot in Brisbane already if this is given. I think what we missed
0:24:55 > 0:24:59there was him saying he thought it was a try. They are looking for
0:24:59 > 0:25:08obstruction. Here is Ben Taylor.A pass. OK. That's good. It's fine.
0:25:08 > 0:25:14The ball is gone. My opinion, he is not obstructed. We can play this on.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18Keep going to the grounding. I'm happy to play on from this. Tight on
0:25:18 > 0:25:26the growning. Happy there is no obstruction. OK, I have my decision.
0:25:26 > 0:25:37I'm going to the board.England's try. John Bateman's score. It's a
0:25:37 > 0:25:47long way back from Tonga. England are getting closer to Brisbane.
0:25:47 > 0:25:52So here is Widdop's conversion attempt and he has nailed that. He
0:25:52 > 0:25:57hasn't done a lot wrong tonight, Gareth Widdop. At 20-0, England know
0:25:57 > 0:26:01it is very nearly job done. Tonga have to score four times to get this
0:26:01 > 0:26:19semi-final back on again. Seven-and-a-half minutes to go.
0:26:25 > 0:26:30They are trying to make something happen. I think he might have got to
0:26:30 > 0:26:35the line there. I think he might have given Tongan fans something to
0:26:35 > 0:26:48cheer. He thinks so too. He wants to make absolutely sure.Still on the
0:26:48 > 0:26:54ball. Can we have another angle on this, please? The ball does look
0:26:54 > 0:27:03like it ends up on the line. Pushes over. At full speed. Right, I'm
0:27:03 > 0:27:11happy. I'm going to the board.Well, it is a late consolation, but they
0:27:11 > 0:27:18are going to get a try and the stadium has just erupted. It is as
0:27:18 > 0:27:23if that was the World Cup final. If you're just switching on and you are
0:27:23 > 0:27:27an England fan and see this and think, "We're in trouble here." Look
0:27:27 > 0:27:35at their reaction! He kicked the goal by the way 20-6 is the
0:27:35 > 0:27:46scoreline as you can see.
0:27:47 > 0:27:54Sio Taukeiaho taking it in.Tonga are des praet for another. England
0:27:54 > 0:27:58not really in danger in terms of the result of this gamement but they
0:27:58 > 0:28:03would not want to concede twice. Looks who is there, James Graham. A
0:28:03 > 0:28:07step back on the inside from Tuimoala Lolohea. That looked
0:28:07 > 0:28:17forward. Carries it now with real intent here. He has shrugged away
0:28:17 > 0:28:27one and down he goes. Well, when he scored that try, it
0:28:27 > 0:28:35was like 10,000 jet planes all landing at the same time!
0:28:35 > 0:28:40Is there something incredible that could possibly unfold here?
0:28:40 > 0:28:50Surely not with three minutes to go. A missed tackle from Hill. Very hard
0:28:50 > 0:28:55thereafter the speed of that ruck. Interesting last three minutes.
0:28:55 > 0:29:00Well, there is a bit of desperation. Tonga at the death have got this
0:29:00 > 0:29:05crowd bouncing even more.They would still have to score twice more here,
0:29:05 > 0:29:16Tonga. There is a big set coming up now. We saw that incredible
0:29:16 > 0:29:22fightback against New Zealand. This would be beyond spectacular.
0:29:22 > 0:29:31Here comes Jason Taumalolo looking for support. There is Tuimoala
0:29:31 > 0:29:43Lolohea. Something incredible is on here now.
0:29:43 > 0:29:49It could not be any louder. Three tries in the space of five minutes,
0:29:49 > 0:30:01and there is still time for Tonga.
0:30:01 > 0:30:09Taukeiaho puts it over. 20-18.And Taumalolo shrugs off one, shrugs off
0:30:09 > 0:30:15two, barnstorming run from the back rower, picks up to Lola here on the
0:30:15 > 0:30:21inside, and this crowd has come alive. Two minutes on the clock.
0:30:21 > 0:30:32It's just incredible. Look at that sea of red.One minute and 50
0:30:32 > 0:30:39seconds left to play, one try WinZip from here now. England were home and
0:30:39 > 0:30:44hosed, already on the play to Brisbane, and suddenly they have a
0:30:44 > 0:30:54fight on their hands again. Here is Taumalolo, with all his might. Wave
0:30:54 > 0:30:58of emotion crashing down from the stands, fuelling this incredible
0:30:58 > 0:31:10fightback from Tonga. Fifita held up on the halfway line. Runs wide, does
0:31:10 > 0:31:19Pangai Junior. Here comes the last play.This is it.Last play, they
0:31:19 > 0:31:27are going to love it. Konrad Hurrell gets a pass towards Fusitu'a, inside
0:31:27 > 0:31:38for Lolohea. It is McGillvary, Jermaine McGillvary, he has the
0:31:38 > 0:31:46ball, and another six tackles. 45 seconds to go. Here they come.
0:31:46 > 0:31:58Listen to this noise. Taumalolo with the tackle, taking on superhuman
0:31:58 > 0:32:08powers, gets it to ten metres out, 30 to go, England on the line.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12Havili. Crashing forward. If they score there is no way back for
0:32:12 > 0:32:21England. No time. English hearts are beating now. English minds focused
0:32:21 > 0:32:30on keeping out this red run. Fifita has lost it! And England have won
0:32:30 > 0:32:41it. In that moment. The referee has a decision to make here. He has lost
0:32:41 > 0:32:49it, he's not going to be moved. Full-time.And that is full-time.
0:32:49 > 0:32:56What a finish! What an occasion, what a World Cup semifinal. Well,
0:32:56 > 0:33:06England almost threw it away. Tonga almost found a way to win from the
0:33:06 > 0:33:11impossible, but England have held on and are going to Brisbane next week
0:33:11 > 0:33:14for the World Cup final.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22I've played in some massive games and hostile atmospheres and great
0:33:22 > 0:33:27crowds, first game back at the new Wembley and all that, but... Never
0:33:27 > 0:33:31anything like this before, you know? With seven minutes to go it was
0:33:31 > 0:33:35wrapped up, all in the bag, and they are a great side and showed great
0:33:35 > 0:33:40character to come back strong.What about that finish, where was your
0:33:40 > 0:33:45heart?In my socks, I think! It was finished, wasn't it? We had a couple
0:33:45 > 0:33:53of times where we got a bit too far ahead stop blue we played for 80
0:33:53 > 0:34:01minutes and never gave up.All Tongan people are proud of us.Has
0:34:01 > 0:34:06satisfying was that might feel?Yes, it was... It was good.Very good.
0:34:06 > 0:34:12What about the occasion as a whole? A great day here. The fans were
0:34:12 > 0:34:15outstanding, rugby league was the winner here today, really proud to
0:34:15 > 0:34:22be a part of it, just a pity that... There is no pity, it was a great
0:34:22 > 0:34:28game.The last minute we were throwing the ball everywhere. It is
0:34:28 > 0:34:33never nice, they are close ones, but we came out and we are in the World
0:34:33 > 0:34:37Cup final.We felt exhausted at the end of that, what a game of rugby
0:34:37 > 0:34:43league.Absolutely brilliant. What a great game we have in rugby league.
0:34:43 > 0:34:48You think one side is home and hosed and we knew Tonga had it in them, we
0:34:48 > 0:34:52didn't know what stage it would come, then it came right at the
0:34:52 > 0:34:57death!Delivered in every sense, didn't it? It had everything is a
0:34:57 > 0:35:01World Cup semifinal, the culture and heritage Tonga have brought to the
0:35:01 > 0:35:05tournament but then the execution and clinical nature of England, but
0:35:05 > 0:35:09the flourish from Tonga at the end got us out of our chairs, and an
0:35:09 > 0:35:18amazing finish to an incredible semifinal.And you thought this
0:35:18 > 0:35:21could have been a try at the end. Look, I just think... There is a
0:35:21 > 0:35:22responsibility from the ball-carrier. These are the closing
0:35:22 > 0:35:28seconds and Tonga are looking to create something. Fifita bumps one I
0:35:28 > 0:35:33can't Elliott Wyatt gets his ball -- Elliott Whitehead gets his hands on
0:35:33 > 0:35:43the ball. Crucially, didn't go to the video referee, which... He ruled
0:35:43 > 0:35:47it was Fifita's responsibility to hold the ball, but what an amazing
0:35:47 > 0:35:51finish, I believe that would have been a try in Super League.Had gone
0:35:51 > 0:35:55upstairs it would have been a nervous video referee and it would
0:35:55 > 0:36:01have gone to the on field decision. For me it was no try, I understand
0:36:01 > 0:36:05why John says try but for me I think Lewis Carrey, Whitehead put his arm
0:36:05 > 0:36:12out to tackle him. But had gone upstairs in the 80th minute... Oh,
0:36:12 > 0:36:17my God!We would have been looking at several angles over and over! Get
0:36:17 > 0:36:22a Mac this wouldn't be the highlights, this would be live on
0:36:22 > 0:36:28air. England have been so good defensively and so strong and yet in
0:36:28 > 0:36:33seven or eight minutes everything came crashing down.That car quicker
0:36:33 > 0:36:38game can change, can't it? Tonga sensed the momentum and seized it,
0:36:38 > 0:36:43took advantage. James Graham was talking before the game how you can
0:36:43 > 0:36:47lose momentum and England almost did that. Tonga got excited and this
0:36:47 > 0:36:51next try for me to provide it.At this point you were saying there
0:36:51 > 0:36:56isn't enough time for them to come back.When Taumalolo gets the ball
0:36:56 > 0:36:59and sends all or team off and creates this try you start thinking
0:36:59 > 0:37:06they have a chance.Absolutely. To be fair not many teams can do this.
0:37:06 > 0:37:11I speak about Tonga as power athletes and give them the
0:37:11 > 0:37:15opportunity undertaken. England were not poor or out of condition, it was
0:37:15 > 0:37:20just going to happen, I thought it would at some stage.They had
0:37:20 > 0:37:26opportunities.They had, and to England's credit, the coverage of
0:37:26 > 0:37:31the full match, England's defence saved them because Tonga had chances
0:37:31 > 0:37:34and missed opportunities but England deserve credit because they kept
0:37:34 > 0:37:38turning up whereas against anyone else that would be a trifle Tonga.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42In the first half England were clinical, took better chances and
0:37:42 > 0:37:46replicated some of the things I think have worked for England
0:37:46 > 0:37:50throughout the tournament. It is this consistent theme of big England
0:37:50 > 0:37:56forwards being able to play, create space, McGilvray taking advantage.
0:37:56 > 0:38:04Scrum plays set up by James Graham, catches Tupou who is an exceptional
0:38:04 > 0:38:07winger, out of position, McGilvray scores. Great start for England.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11After that we get a O'Loughlin on the ball, great line from Whitehead,
0:38:11 > 0:38:15Widdop to support, looked like it was held in a double movement but he
0:38:15 > 0:38:21had the strength to score. We focus on the middle players, O'Loughlin,
0:38:21 > 0:38:24the size of the forward, a great line from Whitehead but when England
0:38:24 > 0:38:28get to the right part of the field were clinical and exceptional and
0:38:28 > 0:38:32they need to do more of it. Definitely. They have to play like
0:38:32 > 0:38:37this next week, they cannot try to play set for set against Australia,
0:38:37 > 0:38:40and this is what they are familiar with. It was great to watch and that
0:38:40 > 0:38:47was what put them in what looked like a commanding win.Which was
0:38:47 > 0:38:52what they needed! Just the right score, not too many.They chose to
0:38:52 > 0:38:56take the two for the penalty midway through the second-half.That
0:38:56 > 0:39:00penalty goal was huge and Tupou dropped a ball stone cold with the
0:39:00 > 0:39:05try line beckoning. The game is hinged on moments, but one of the
0:39:05 > 0:39:08standouts, scrambled defence for England was exceptional and it is
0:39:08 > 0:39:12hard to show it because they were so many examples of it. In the main
0:39:12 > 0:39:19England did a great defensive job for anybody who said over the years
0:39:19 > 0:39:21the Rugby League World Cup is just about England, New Zealand and
0:39:21 > 0:39:25Australia, not this tournament. Tonga very much played their part
0:39:25 > 0:39:30which can only be good for international rugby.Definitely, we
0:39:30 > 0:39:36saw the crowd today, 35,000, 20,000 Tongans, it is huge. Look at Fiji as
0:39:36 > 0:39:43well.Gets.Their win over New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the way
0:39:43 > 0:39:49they play, it is great to talk about so many nations rather than just
0:39:49 > 0:39:52three.The final is Australia against England in Brisbane next
0:39:52 > 0:40:00Saturday morning and we will be on air on BBC One from 830 AM for all
0:40:00 > 0:40:06the coverage. More live sport across the BBC this afternoon.
0:40:19 > 0:40:24Is it easier said than done for England to keep doing their thing
0:40:24 > 0:40:28against Australia in the final? Identifying so. That is the only way
0:40:28 > 0:40:33they can attack the game next week. -- I don't think so. I am pleased
0:40:33 > 0:40:38they are there, I think the best two teams are in the final. We have
0:40:38 > 0:40:41compared England to Australia all along and it has been unfair but
0:40:41 > 0:40:46they are there now and that will probably relieve the players, that
0:40:46 > 0:40:50they have made it. It is 22 years since they have been there. It will
0:40:50 > 0:40:54take pressure off the man freed up to play more.The different
0:40:54 > 0:40:59challenge in Australia without a doubt, fantastic players, homes with
0:40:59 > 0:41:0511 tries in the last two games, really big left edge attack. Key
0:41:05 > 0:41:09players on the ball who make big decisions for Australia, great
0:41:09 > 0:41:12decisions, defensively you cannot have the play-off.How will they
0:41:12 > 0:41:17defend against Australia, then?They need to be composed and patient, you
0:41:17 > 0:41:20cannot give them tries like this because Fiji handed the ball to
0:41:20 > 0:41:25Valentine Holmes who has too much speed and is an instinctive finish.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29We call it being connected, depending together. If you don't
0:41:29 > 0:41:33defend together and you are disjointed they find space and they
0:41:33 > 0:41:36have speed and execution and decision-making ability to take
0:41:36 > 0:41:41advantage of it. Fiji were completely outclassed in this game.
0:41:41 > 0:41:46England in the final of the back of a much different affair in their
0:41:46 > 0:41:49semifinal, and I suppose we will talk about that in the build-up,
0:41:49 > 0:41:53what is the difference? The casual game against Fiji or the fierce
0:41:53 > 0:41:57intense game against Tonga and those are the different sides.May be a
0:41:57 > 0:42:02generalisation but most Australians don't appear to be racked by
0:42:02 > 0:42:05self-doubt, so is their... LAUGHTER Will there be anything Australia had
0:42:05 > 0:42:10seen from England that will worry them?I think so, yes. England
0:42:10 > 0:42:14showed them in game one, in the second half, that they have enough
0:42:14 > 0:42:19attack to worry Australia. In saying that, in every game Australia have
0:42:19 > 0:42:25played there have never one to beat England but England have done that
0:42:25 > 0:42:29every game. England have shown they have earned it by how good a side
0:42:29 > 0:42:34they are. They have a lot of trouble Australia and as John said, I don't
0:42:34 > 0:42:38think Fiji unfortunately... They didn't have the class Australia have
0:42:38 > 0:42:42but England do so they won't be a walk in the park.Does history
0:42:42 > 0:42:51bother players? England haven't been in a World Cup final since 1995. Is
0:42:51 > 0:42:55that merely a media thing? Behaviours are learnt over time.
0:42:55 > 0:43:01Australia are used to these big games and performing well. England
0:43:01 > 0:43:06don't have that to draw upon. They have to perform. They don't have a
0:43:06 > 0:43:09bank of experience, they haven't been in a World Cup final, they
0:43:09 > 0:43:13can't draw on that that they can draw on confidence from playing
0:43:13 > 0:43:16awesome throughout the tournament. Thank you very much to both of you,
0:43:16 > 0:43:21John and Justin, we have waited a long time, 22 years to say this, but
0:43:21 > 0:43:33England are in a Rugby League World Cup final. See you next Saturday.