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After years of waiting, Lady Luck has finally given England a most desperate reprieve.
Nobody who witnessed it can ever forget the agonising game the Lady played with England in their semi-final encounter with New Zealand in 2013.
With moments to go, the Lady glanced the other way, sending the Lions out of the World Cup in a Shaun Johnson-inspired dance that left both fans and players staring into the abyss.
So after four years of waiting, thousands of fans – and 17 players – held their collective breaths as Tonga nearly became the Lady’s most recent agent of English agony.
For 72 minutes England were the better side in this semi-final. For 72 minutes the Wayne Bennett-driven masterplan to secure a share of rugby league glory for England was in full effect. For 72 minutes, England displayed their lion’s heart with better discipline, better defence, and a better score line.
And then entered the Lady. Followed by the shock and the horror…
No, no, no, this can’t be happening England fans asked. Not again? Surely not? Good lord it is! Oh god it is. Look! It is happening. Again!
One try, followed by another and then another… and fans of the English game began falling to their knees as they began their cries of anguish at the wanton cruelty of the heavens.
But if the heavens can take away, they can also bestow. For whatever reason, the Lady was in a mood. And her delivery? One Andrew Fifita, rugby league’s 120kg court jester whose deft touch makes fools of those who believe.
This time, the Lady’s agent played loose with the law and sent the fear of eternity into England who then emerged from their wreckage, bewildered and stunned that they were still standing.
Curse the touch of the ethereal if you will. Or plant the knee.
Either way, it makes no difference to the Lady.
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