Sydney, Nov 17: England fans in Sydney exuberant at semifinal win over France. Driving rain, Jonny Wilkinson and French ineptitude combined on Sunday (November 16) to give England a resounding 24-7 victory in the second World Cup semi-final -- to the delight of thousands of English fans watching the game in bars and on open air screens across Sydney. England emulated defending champions Australia, who also upset the form book on Saturday with a 22-10 victory over New Zealand, to produce a replay of the 1991 final. While the first semi had been staged on a hot evening with no breeze, the Olympic stadium was hit on Sunday by a storm which quickly soaked the field. The rain relented an hour before the match, but returned while the teams were warming up and the game was played in a constant downpour with a strong wind, with all England's points coming from kicks by Wilkinson. The weather didn't deter the thousands of England supporters who did not have tickets for the stadium. When the final whistle blew they erupted in delight.

"It was excellent you know," said one. "People will say that you should score tries but, like, who scores the most points is the most important thing at the end of the day."


Another fan said England against Australia would be the perfect final.


Bureau Report