SM
Barcelona vs. Valencia: 18 hrs 27 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Rugby World Cup | Semi-Finals
Oct 26, 2019 at 9am UK
 
England
19-7
New Zealand
Tuilagi (2')
FT
Savea (57')

England vs. New Zealand: The key talking points

:Headline: England vs. New Zealand: The key talking points: ID:376192: from db_amp
Eddie Jones has been working towards this clash for four years.

England clash with New Zealand in Saturday's World Cup semi-final at International Stadium Yokohama in their biggest game since the 2007 global final.

Here the PA news agency examines five talking points heading into the match.

Moment of truth

Jones has been working towards this moment for his whole England reign (Chris Radburn/PA)

Eddie Jones made it clear from the instant he was appointed four years ago that he wanted to be judged on England's performance at the World Cup. Now the defining moment of his reign has arrived, a match he insists he has been preparing for since the draw was made in Kyoto in May 2017. Judgement day awaits.

Beyond Japan

Shrouded in uncertainly, Jones' future provides a fascinating subtext to the knockout phase. Defeat to Australia in the quarter-finals would have pushed him towards the exit door, but his Twickenham stewardship now looks far more secure, regardless of the outcome against New Zealand. And he is not without alternative options, having been linked to Fiji and Australia.

New Zealand chase three-peat

The All Blacks' more recent World Cup record is remarkable having not lost a game since 2007. In the intervening years they have lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy twice and are favourites to claim a third successive global crown on November 2. If England are to repeat their achievement of 2003, they will have done it the hard way.

Winning formula

The biggest selection story of England's World Cup has been the identity of their fly-half and it is George Ford who has been given the nod on this occasion, nudging Owen Farrell to inside centre. Ford was dropped against Australia in order to stiffen the defence knowing the problems bulldozing centre Samu Kerevi can cause, but it is felt that an extra pair of playmaker's eyes and hands are what is required against New Zealand.

amp_article__376192 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-10-25 09:27:44:
html db last update - 2021-03-07 00:47:34 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .