Samoa stun England to book spot in cup final
Samoa centre Stephen Crichton kicked a field goal in golden point extra-time to seal a 27-26 win for his country as they became the first tier-two nation to advance into a Rugby League World Cup final.
The Samoans will play Australia at Old Trafford on Sunday after exacting revenge on an England side who had beaten them 60-6 in the opening game of the tournament.
In front of a 40,489 strong crowd it took until the 84th minute for a winner to be found, Crichton stepping up to the plate after Anthony Milford’s earlier attempt had been charged down.
Samoa coach Matt Parish has boasted how his side would build coherency throughout the tournament and they looked a class above an England that had seemingly rolled up expecting the same result.
It was the first time the English had been scrutinised in this tournament and their panache and fight went out of them.
It wasn’t until England were 20-12 down with 15 minutes to go that they snapped into life and head coach Shaun Wane must be left wondering how his side failed to show up at London’s Emirates Stadium.
This week could be challenging for the Samoans given Junior Paulo, who had a striking charge thrown out to play in this game, is likely to face suspension for a spear tackle on Tom Burgess.