Farrell sends England into World Cup semi-finals after late Fiji drama
B
en Earl raced half the size of the Stade Velodrome pitch, steaming away from all chasers to seal England’s 30-24 Rugby World Cup quarter-final win over Fiji.
The Saracens back-rower blitzed away from all the duvet to cease Fiji’s ferocious restoration in its tracks.
As the Pacific Islanders tried one poach too many on the breakdown after solely simply stopping Earl scoring himself, Owen Farrell stepped up and slotted his fifth penalty of a madcap Marseille encounter.
England had led 24-10 on 52 minutes, solely to see that benefit evaporate as Fiji delivered two gorgeous scores in 4 minutes to stage the last-eight conflict.
A Farrell drop purpose edged England again into the lead, earlier than that Earl break and the skipper’s closing penalty took the Red Rose males via – however solely simply.
Steve Borthwick’s facet will now face a semi-final in Paris on Saturday evening, towards both hosts France or reigning champions South Africa.
Fiji outscored England three tries to 2, however a masterful efficiency from captain Farrell ensured the 2003 winners undergo to a different last-four look.
Manu Tuilagi registered the primary attempt of a pulsating World Cup quarter-final for England
/ REUTERSViliame Mata, Peni Ravai and Vilimoni Botitu all crossed for Fiji, with Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant claiming England’s tries.
Farrell pinged 5 penalties and that drop purpose, including one conversion in addition, in an exemplary efficiency that fully justified his return to fly-half.
Earl warrants big reward for his match-sealing flip, nonetheless. The 25-year-old couldn’t even get an England look-in as just lately because the Six Nations.
Now the Saracens star has usurped long-time talisman Billy Vunipola at No 8 – and once more fully vindicated boss Borthwick’s religion in Marseille with a tub-thumping, gut-busting efficiency.
England know the depth and accuracy will ramp towards both the hosts or the 2019 winners within the final 4 subsequent week.
But Borthwick and Co need to cherish this win for the hard-fought victory that it was, earlier than focusing again in on a good sterner onslaught in Paris.
Fiji began the day with two huge turnovers to ship huge photographs throughout England’s bow. Courtney Lawes responded in sort with a monstrous jackal of his personal as England began to fireside themselves.
Viliame Mata gave Fiji hope with a superb rating after Joe Marchant had crossed for England
/ APFarrell’s penalty capped a very good assault to place England into an early lead, and when Mata infringed cheaply for blocking, Borthwick’s males took full benefit.
Farrell punted to the nook, England set the lineout maul, and two phases later, Tuilagi lower blind to bust one deal with and gambol residence.
Fiji refused to relent that simply although, and Smith was caught chilly attempting to chop inside from his 22 when he ought to have tried to outpace the duvet out extensive.
Frank Lomani missed the simple penalty in a giant let-off although, after which Tom Curry was massively lucky to keep away from a yellow card for a no-arms deal with on Josua Tuisova.
Fiji half-back Lomani made good on his second penalty shot, to place his facet on the board. But then England struck once more, with Marchant making use of a wise stretching end after stepping in between two would-be tacklers.
Vinaya Habosi was sin-binned en path to that rating, for a conflict of heads with Smith, leaving the Harlequins star with a nasty-looking bloody nostril.
Ollie Lawrence got here in at outdoors centre, Marchant shifted to the wing and Elliot Daly moved to full-back. Lomani missed a second simple penalty for Fiji, to depart the Islanders with the jitters.
Vilimoni Botitu scored the second of two quick-fire Fiji tries to stage the match
/ APBut then Botitu’s through-the-legs go opened the door for Mata to romp in and ship an acrobatic end. Lomani slotted the conversion, to depart England main 15-10 forward of the half-hour mark.
Just when Fiji seemed to plough again into the competition nonetheless, Simon Raiwalui’s males began to drive the problem an excessive amount of.
Their breakdown poise eluded them because of a string of dangerous extensive passes, heaping strain on the wings. England picked off the errors, Farrell slotted two penalties – and the Red Rose males took a 21-10 lead into half-time.
Fiji returned brightly after the break, however the low cost errors stored on coming. Botitu spilled the ball beneath no strain in England’s 22, to waste a hard-worked platform, the forwards misplaced their very own lineout and the backs strayed into contact attempting to interrupt from their very own line.
Farrell’s fourth penalty of the match edged England right into a 24-10 lead, however the England captain’s subsequent try fell simply quick. Levani Botia tussled with Curry off the ball in an try and spark Fiji again into life, and the aggro labored.
The Islanders powered upfield with a nice assault, Waisea Nayacalevu so practically took Jonny May on the surface, and substitute prop Ravai strode residence in fashion. Simione Kuruvoli’s conversion left England main 24-17 with 16 minutes to play.
The substitute scrum-half then fired a penalty shot towards the submit, just for Fiji to recuperate the unfastened ball in England’s half. And from that possession, Fiji stored their heads and labored Botitu via to race in for a surprising rating.
Kuruvoli’s conversion levelled the sport at 24-24 with 12 minutes to play. So snug for thus lengthy, hastily England discovered themselves in a severe contest.
Owen Farrell properly selected the drop purpose to place England again forward in dramatic end
/ APThe Red Rose males did the good factor and Farrell slotted a drop purpose to inch Borthwick’s facet again right into a three-point lead.
Fiji got here repeatedly, however then Earl broke out and dragged all of England with him. Farrell pinged the three-pointer, and the day was finished.