WIGAN – There haven’t been many passages of play like it. Between the 11th minute and the 30th, Papua New Guinea only touched the ball six times: a knock on in goal and five kick offs. The possession stats stood at 100% for England.
As shows of strength go, this one took some beating. England smashed PNG 46-6 at the DW Stadium, but the scoreline is only half the story. The method of it, especially in that first period, was brutal.
England were under the watchful eye of the Princess of Wales, guest of honour in Wigan, and even in her presumably extensive rugby league spectating career, she can’t have seen many more impressive showings than that put on by Shaun Wane’s men.
Tom Burgess was spectacular, running for 100m within the first 20 minutes, and George Williams right behind him, demonstrating his short kicking prowess with several assists. Sam Tomkins joined him, and Tommy Makinson benefitted to the tune of five tries.
It wasn’t that the Kumuls were particularly bad: they simply weren’t allowed to play. The central tenets of Waneball are physicality, line speed and possession, and England had all three. PNG didn’t stand a chance. Very rarely are they outmuscled, but there was no other way to describe what happened in the first half.
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The tone was set from tackle one, as Victor Radley sent in a huge hit that knocked Wellington Albert back. More than once, Burgess battered into the line and carried Kumuls with him. It was no surprise when he managed to stand in contact, twist and make his way to the floor for England’s first.
Makinson got his first and England’s second after a smart grubber from Sam Tomkins and, from the kick off, Nene Macdonald was bundled into touch by a gang of English defenders. It was the last time PNG would touch the ball for 19 minutes.
In that time, England ran in five tries, with two more for Makinson, one for Dom Young and a superb try that saw the ball go through several sets of hands before William slid over backwards and grounded.
The third for Makinson was highly unusual. Williams kicked, Roderick Tai dropped the ball and the St Helens winger pounced. The try was prosaic, but the method wasn’t: referee Liam Moore awarded a 20m tap, England objected and – for probably the first time in rugby league history – were given the try on Captain’s Challenge.
The cue went in the rack with the score at 36-0 before the half hour and PNG thoroughly knackered. The second half was something of a non-event: Makinson got his fourth and fifth, with a Jimmy Ngutlik consolation sandwiched between them.
Dionysus
Guest
England smashed samoa in the first round so I doubt that England would lose the second time around. Tonga could be a real threat.
Dionysus
Guest
England are playing out of their skin. Shaun Wane has this side prepared in superb fashion. The first half of this match was all England but after that was much more evenly matched. If I was Shaun, I would be concerned at that second half.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Those 3 you mentioned MMW, Tom, George and Sam, I have never seen them play this consistently well, mysteriously well… ever.
3 R M
Roar Rookie
Mike do you think Kate kept them out there until the Papuans were "i ais pinis" solid? Looks like a good match up for England against either Samoa or Tonga.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
I expected this match to be close and the Fiji NZ match to be a blowout. Maybe I am underestimating England.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Kate has taken it over from Harry :thumbup:
Dionysus
Guest
Ahh looks like it has been added. Does anyone know if Harry is the Patron of this World Cup or has Kate taken on that mantle ? Good on her if she has and even more good on her if she hasn't.
Dionysus
Guest
I did post a lengthy, respectful comment but it seems I have been nobbled by the mod crew. It really is getting a bit old now folks!
Dionysus
Guest
I always thought that England would come out on top, but I expected this one to be a lot closer. The script for the final 4 was hardly ever in doubt and now that is in place, we can look forward to some closer contests. Australia will be tested by the Kiwis like they haven't before. Normally Trans Tasmen matches mid season has the measure of this clash but with Covid and major changes to the squads, this could be interesting. The second semi should be similarly interesting and closer than matches of late. I still expect England to get through to the final. One very pleasing aspect of this World Cup has been the relatively low level of injuries and I haven't noticed too many high tackles or deliberate foul play. I have noticed some of the lesser nations being given more leeway with penalties. A classic one was where Lebanon was lying all over an Australian player for ages without a penalty only for Australia to get pinged a moment later for a marginal infringement of the same rule. C'est la Vie.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Absolute statement from England in that first half hour, incredible to watch