Brisbane, Nov 11: England beat Wales 28-17 in Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
England survived a monumental scare against a revitalised Wales before emerging 28-17 winners of a gripping World Cup quarter-final on Sunday (November 9). After three one-sided matches the tournament finally got the knockout clash it had been crying out for as Wales tore into their illustrious rivals to reach halftime with a deserved 10-3 lead after tries by flyhalf Stephen Jones and captain Colin Charvis. But, as so often before, England settled, regrouped and took command after the break as their fitness and professionalism proved too much for Wales's eager enthusiasm. A converted Will Greenwood try quickly brought England level and Jonny Wilkinson's six penalties and a last-minute drop goal secured the victory which sets up a semi-final meeting with France, who turned on the style earlier in the day to beat Ireland 43-21.


It was not a performance to strike fear into the heart of any of the other semi-finalists as England looked ragged and off the pace for long periods against a team who scored four tries against the All Blacks last Sunday.


England's uncertainty was illustrated in the third minute when Wilkinson smashed a straightforward penalty attempt against a post.


The European champions finally got on the scoreboard with a Wilkinson penalty in the 18th minute but the Welsh got their reward for an enterprising start in the 31st minute with a superb team try, running the ball back from deep in their own half with sharp passing finished off by Jones.


England had previously conceded only two tries, the best record of any of the quarter-finalists, but their much-lauded defence was in tatters again four minutes later when flanker Charvis burrowed over the line following a lineout.


England were rattled, not least Wilkinson, whose kicking and handling belied his reputation as the game's premier flyhalf.


With the neutrals in the crowd roaring the Welsh on and England looking disorganised, the prospect of a huge upset looked a real possibility.


But within three minutes of the restart they were level when Jason Robinson produced a scything 50 metre run through half a dozen defenders before unloading to the ever-willing Greenwood to score.


Wilkinson converted to make it 10-10 and then landed two quick penalties to edge England six points ahead. Wales had further try scoring opportunities but bad decision making and good defence kept them out and England emerged intact to stretch their lead to 12 points on the hour with two more Wilkinson penalties.


The Welsh, though, refused to accept their fate and scored their third try when replacement flanker Martyn Williams reacted well to touch down a Dwayne Peel kick into the corner.


But with Jones missing his third conversion the gap was still too wide and Wilkinson, on his 50th England appearance, extended it with the last action of the match when he landed a drop goal to make it six wins in row for England over their old rivals.


Teams: England - 15-Jason Robinson; 14-Dan Luger, (21-Mike Catt 41) 13-Will Greenwood (22-Stuart Abbot 53), 12-Mike Tindall, 11-Ben Cohen; 10-Jonny Wilkinson, 9-Matt Dawson (20-Kyran Bracken 68); 8-Lawrence Dallaglio, 7-Neil Back, 6-Lewis Moody, 5-Ben Kay, 4-Martin Johnson (captain) 3-Phil Vickery, 2-Steve Thompson, 1-Jason Leonard (17-Trevor Woodman 45).


Wales - 15-Gareth Thomas; 14-Mark Jones, 13-Mark Taylor, 12-Iestyn Harris, 11-Shane Williams; 10-Stephen Jones, 9-Gareth Cooper (20-Dwayne Peel 65); 8-Jonathan Thomas (19-Martyn Williams 58), 7-Colin Charvis (captain), 6-Dafydd Jones, 5-Robert Sidoli, 4-Brent Cockbain (18-Gareth Llewellyn 48), 3-Adam Jones (17-Gethin Jenkins 29), 2-Robin McBryde, (16-Mefin Davies 64), 1-Iestyn Thomas.


Bureau Report