England dethrone New Zealand to reach Rugby World Cup final
• All Blacks beaten at World Cup for first time in 12 years
• Tuilagi’s second-minute try sets tone for England
Not since the 2003 Rugby World Cup has English rugby enjoyed a more stunning or significant moment. The national team are into their first final for 12 years but the manner in which Eddie Jones’s side left New Zealand strewn on the canvas was as striking as the 19-7 scoreline. The All Blacks’ dreams of becoming the first team to win three consecutive Webb Ellis Cups were not so much dashed as smashed.
As well as delivering New Zealand’s first loss in 19 World Cup matches dating back to the 2007 quarter-finals, this was the equal of any England performance in modern times. The All Blacks, so dominant in the tournament en route to the last four, could cope with neither the power at England’s disposal nor their defensive strength and tactical acumen after Manu Tuilagi’s second-minute score had set the initial tone.