England have marched into a Rugby League World Cup semi-final showdown with Tonga after an unconvincing 36-6 win over Papua New Guinea in Melbourne.
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Final score
England 36
Papua New Guinea 6
England will look to continue their solid Rubgy League World Cup campaign when they tackle the dynamic Papua New Guinea in the last of the four quarter-finals in Melbourne on Sunday afternoon. Join The Roar for a live blog from 4pm AEDT.
In what shapes to be as potentially the most intriguing semi final contest, no-one can count on form or reputation, as Fiji showed when they sensationally bundled New Zealand out yesterday.
We’ll start with PNG.
Coach Michael Marum has stuck largely with the same group throughout the tournament, and continues to show his faith in that group, with only one change in the stating side. Lachlan Lam is replaced by the experienced Ase Boas at five-eighth, who partners his brother, Watson, in the halves.
So, consistently few team changes, and three drubbings of Ireland, the USA and Wales respectively. Where do PNG fall down? Travel. They’ve played every game in Port Moresby, buoyed by a strong home crowd. Travelling to Melbourne will be a test… That’s before they run into Wayne Bennett’s men, who have been impressive at times in this tournament.
England have been good, but not great in this RLWC. Bennett himself has rued on more than one occasion, his side’s tendency to fall off, and ‘go to sleep’ for minutes at a time. They’ll need to turn out a strong eighty-minute performance if they’re to topple PNG, though.
Wins over France and Lebanon were decisive without being clinical, and their defensive efforts against the Kangaroos were very good without being complete.
In team news, the biggest inclucsion is Sam Burgess, who returns from a knee injury. Kallum Watkins takes Mark Percival’s place, while Ryan Hall checks in for the hot and cold Stefan Ratchford. The halves are unchanged, and the Widdop fullback experiment continues.
Where the game will be won
The hookers. James Segeyaro has arguably been PNG’s best this tournament, and consistently finds holes in attack that others seem to not be able to. However, he runs into Josh Hodgson who has been equally as good.
In terms of how they hinge for the team, whoever can control their teams go forward, and work efficiently out of dummy half, should see their respective outside backs do the job in a bumper clash.
Prediction
Yes, England haven’t turned in the 80-minute performance they’ve been desperately craving, however they ooze class, and have a huge in with Sam Burgess back in the fray. It’ll be a grind, but Bennett’s men will be singing Jerusalem all the way to the semi-finals.
England by 8.
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Renegade
Roar Guru
Agree, I’ve thought from the start that the opening match of the tournament will also be the final. They have a tonne of improvement left in them, and you’re right about Wayne... if there’s ever been a coach who gets his team to peak when it matters, it’s him. Kangaroos are looking ominous though, the other 3 remaining teams have a fair way to go to catch us.
Realist1975
Guest
England should beat Tonga and bar no injuries or suspensions or one sided refereeing feel they can beat Australia in the Final. Never underestimate Wayne Bennett. You don't need to play exceptionally well until the game that counts.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Eng 36 – 6 PNG Match Result: England have locked in a semi-final against Tonga after an error-riddled 36-6 win over a plucky Papua New Guinea side in Melbourne.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
80′ TRY ENGLAND! Eng 36 – 6 PNG It's a drubbing in the end. Widdop with another try assist as he sucks in two defenders and shovels it to Ryan Hall who scores in the corner. Icing on the cake for Bennett's men. Widdop's kick is a cracker from on the sideline.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
78′ Eng 30 – 6 PNG Widdop kicks through and Watson Boas does well to stop it - he has to pick it up and he has 80m alone to score... But he spills it. Story of the afternoon, as Eng pack the scrum 10m out.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
77′ Eng 30 – 6 PNG Walmsley with a Nice run, pumping his legs - before Watson Boas is penalised, 20m out bang in front. They'll have a set of six in the red zone.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
75′ Eng 30 – 6 PNG Both sides with more handling errors as things just draw to a close here. 5 minutes to run here in Melbourne.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
71′ Eng 30 – 6 PNG Kick is away to the left, and England lead by 24.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
71′ TRY ENGLAND! (TMO) Eng 30 – 6 PNG Well, they've gone end to end. Widdop kicks to Mcgilvary on the right wing, just a cheeky bomb. The winger climbs high and wins it, tipping it back inside to Kallum Watkins who finishes athletically for his second - suspended in the air. Nice finish, and England look the goods. Kick is another tough one from Widdop's bad sideline.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Commentators are having a laugh aren't they? That was a neat picture perfect example of an obstruction.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
71′ TRY PNG! (TMO) Eng 26 – 6 PNG England can't control the kick off, and PNG have a scrum. They dish right and BOY OH BOY that is class!!! Boas shows and goes, and gives to brother Ase... Garry Lo flicks it back inside where Stanton Albert crashes over... Oh. It's been overruled for obstruction on replay. Soft - but it is what it is. England clear and they have it on halfway with Tom Burgess.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
68′ TRY ENGLAND! Eng 26 – 6 PNG PNG kick poorly again on the 5th, Segeyaro's kicking has been bad today. Widdop tidies up, and shifts right to Mcgilvary who breaks the line, makes 40m and dishes inside to Kallum Watkins who runs 50m untouched to score. That'll be the ball game. Kick is over from in front.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
66′ Eng 20 – 6 PNG Kick through, and Amean cleans up. He'll win an Oscar for his dive and performance in slowing down the play the ball while his teammates retreat. Naturally, the English aren't all that happy. Anyway, the Kumuls only make 20m with their 5 tackles, and Boas kicks as far as Widdop on his 30m. He returns, and as I type, is taken on halfway - first tackle.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
64′ Eng 20 – 6 PNG England return serve, and go 100m with their six tackles. Graham is well held on the 5th, and Hodgson dishes to Widdop who finds Watkins who is hammered by Ottio and Lo. Nice defence to shut down that attacking raid.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
63′ Eng 20 – 6 PNG PNG consolidate well after points - a completed set very much a rarity in this second half. Segeyaro bombs to the posts, and Mcgilvary cleans up.
Nat
Roar Guru
Blame the hooker for a poor pass or the halves for not standing deep to accept it. Where does Cronk stand?
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
61′ TRY PNG! Eng 20 – 6 PNG Wow - what a pass!!! Segeyaro shifts left to Manoga who somehow wriggles an arm free and throws a one handed moon ball to Garry Lo who dives over in the corner. That is a stunner try! Kick is tough from the near sideline. Rhyse Martin nails it!
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Kumuls needed that. Looked like the floodgates were just about to burst. Let's see how England respond now.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
60′ Eng 20 – 0 PNG I cannot remember the last time I've seen so much drop ball. Elliot Whitehead beats a lazy defender, and just has to find Hodgson inside - his pass goes to ground. Anyway, the Kumuls have another crack at it, 30m from England's line.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
58′ TRY ENGLAND! Eng 20 – 0 PNG That is a stunning try. Watkins beats 3, and dishes left. England hit back, and Brown offloads to Widdop. He takes a half step and sees Ben Currie open on the left wing. A little toe through later, and the replacement utility back scores untouched. Delightful touch from Gareth Widdop. The kick is a sitter, and try-assister turns try converter to make it a 20 point ball game.