All Blacks set up cracker of a semis with England
TEAMS ON A HIGH AFTER DOMINATING WINS OVER IRELAND, WALLABIES
Aaron Smith scored a brace of tries as defending champions New Zealand thrashed Ireland 4614 yesterday to set up a mouthwatering World Cup semi-final against England in Yokohama next weekend.
The All Blacks, seeking a third successive World Cup title, scored three first-half tries to all but end the game as a contest, going on to add four more in the second period.
Pivot Richie Mo’unga contributed 11 points with the boot to extend to 18 games New Zealand’s winning World Cup record — they have not lost since their 20-18 quarter-final defeat by France in 2007. The victory also extended their record to 29 wins from 32 games against Ireland, who had won two of the
last three meetings between the two sides, but now exit at the quarter-final stage of the World Cup for a record seventh time.
Winger Jonny May scored two tries in three first-half minutes as England underlined their credentials with a dominant 40-16 win over Australia earlier.
Four years after the Wallabies sent England packing out of their own tournament, Eddie Jones’s side gained a measure of revenge while extending their winning streak over the Australians to seven matches.
Engrossing contest
Australia played a full part in an engrossing contest but in the end were well beaten by a team who defended stoutly, took their chances ruthlessly and had a flyhalf in Owen Farrell who managed the game maturely and kicked flawlessly for 20 points.
England, who scored four tries in all to Australia’s one, have now won three World Cup quarter-finals against Australia and will move on with confidence to the clash against the All Blacks, who beat Ireland 46-14 later yesterday.
“This was a good performance but we don’t feel we are at our best yet,” said England coach Eddie Jones, before expanding on a Japanese theme he introduced on Thursday.