Storm hold on for another close win as they down Roosters
7 hours ago | Rhys Sullivan
Kiwis steal victory from England
The reigning World Cup holders, New Zealand have stolen victory over England in the dying moments as Shaun Johnson handed them victory, 20-18 at Wembley Stadium.
It's been described as one of the greatest matches in Rugby League World Cup history and the contest lived up to that with a physical and hard fought match.
England fired early with first points posted by Sean O'Louglin as he charged off a short pass from Man of the Match, Sam Burgess. England led 6-0 after 16 minutes.
Kevin Sinfield extended the lead for England to 8-0 with a successful penalty goal.
Dean Whare wowed the Wembley crowd and those watching around the world as he somehow managed to flick a pass back in field to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. In an incredulous display, already being touted as the try of the series, the Kiwis closed the gap to two points, 8-6 after 32 minutes.
Shortly before half time, the Kiwis drew level with penalty goal from Shaun Johnson. After 40 minutes, the game locked up at 8-all.
New Zealand have their luckily stars to thank as their second half performance saw them clutch victory from the fire.
The Kiwis bolted to the lead as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck claimed his second four-pointer in the match as he raced through Gareth Widdop and Leroy Cudjoe to score. New Zealand jumped to a 14-8 lead after 50 minutes with a Johnson penalty goal.
England looked to have sealed victory with two tries mid-second half as Kallum Watkins and Sam Burgess crossed the white line. England rolled through the Kiwi pack to hold a 18-14 lead.
In a play that stopped a nation, Shaun Johnson stunned the English defence following a penalty to dance his way over the try line. Johnson crafted the play in the final 20 seconds to give the Kiwis hope of claiming back to back World Cups. New Zealand eliminated England, 20-18.
New Zealand will now face either the Australian Kangaroos or Fiji Bati in the World Cup Final next weekend.
New Zealand have their luckily stars to thank as their second half performance saw them clutch victory from the fire.
The Kiwis bolted to the lead as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck claimed his second four-pointer in the match as he raced through Gareth Widdop and Leroy Cudjoe to score. New Zealand jumped to a 14-8 lead after 50 minutes with a Johnson penalty goal.
England looked to have sealed victory with two tries mid-second half as Kallum Watkins and Sam Burgess crossed the white line. England rolled through the Kiwi pack to hold a 18-14 lead.
In a play that stopped a nation, Shaun Johnson stunned the English defence following a penalty to dance his way over the try line. Johnson crafted the play in the final 20 seconds to give the Kiwis hope of claiming back to back World Cups. New Zealand eliminated England, 20-18.
New Zealand will now face either the Australian Kangaroos or Fiji Bati in the World Cup Final next weekend.
Match Details
New Zealand Kiwis 20 England Lions 18
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Crowd: N/A
Halftime Score: 8 all
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Sam Burgess
2 points - James Roby
1 point - Shaun Johnson
NEW ZEALAND KIWIS (20)
Tries: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (2), Shaun Johnson
Field Goals:
Conversions: Shaun Johnson (2/3)
Penalty Goals: Shaun Johnson (2/2)
ENGLAND LIONS (18)
Tries: Sean O'Loughlin, Kallum Watkins, Sam Burgess
Field Goals:
Conversions: Kevin Sinfield (2/3)
Penalty Goals: Kevin Sinfield (1/1)
LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary
80
FULL TIME at Wembley Stadium as seen the New Zealand Kiwis fight back and steal victory over the English with a 20-18 victory.
New Zealand Kiwis 20-18
80
TRY NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Scored by Shaun Johnson. Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Shaun Johnson has stunned the English defence with some brilliant score solo try with some fancy footwork. He has single handed the New Zealanders a spot in the Grand Final. Johnson nails the conversion to give the Kiwis the victory.
New Zealand Kiwis 20-18
79
Penalty Kiwis! They attack quickly 30 metres out from the English goal line
England Lions 18-14
77
UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Sonny Bill Williams makes an unforced error.
SBW knocks on as he jumped up high from the kick from Foran. England hanging on by their fingertips at this point.
England Lions 18-14
77
Line drop out called for Kiwis, all the pressure on them as they trail by 4 points. Cool heads needed here in this set.
England Lions 18-14
74
Jason Nightingale unable to jump high to take the catch, Kiwis pushing the pass from the scrum. England let off, they have a scrum feed 10m off their goal line
England Lions 18-14
74
UNFORCED ERROR ENGLAND LIONS
Ryan Hall makes an unforced error.
Ryan Hall jumped off the line looking for the intercept pass to save the try but drops it! He saves the try by the Kiwis will have a full set with a scrum 10 metres out
England Lions 18-14
71
UNFORCED ERROR ENGLAND LIONS
Ben Westwood makes an unforced error.
Ben Westwood tried to reach out of the tackle of Simon Mannering and plant the ball down, but lost control at the end. Scrum for the Kiwis 10 metres off their own line.
England Lions 18-14
70
UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Sonny Bill Williams makes an unforced error.
SBW is ruled to have knocked on as he jumped out of the ruck and tried to save the pass. Scrum for England 20 metres out
England Lions 18-14
69
Incredible! Issac Luke's kick restart has rocketed the ball out on the full! Penalty on halfway for England
England Lions 18-14
69
Incredible! Issac Luke's kick restart has rocketed the ball out on the full! Penalty on halfway for England
England Lions 18-14
69
TRY ENGLAND LIONS
Scored by Sam Burgess. Conversion attempt by Kevin Sinfield successful.
Sam Burgess has charged through the Kiwis goal line defence as England made a line break from the drop out through Sam Tomkins. England have New Zealand on the ropes as they jump to a lead of 4 points.
England Lions 18-14
67
Gareth Widdop with a short kick to the in goal area on the 3rd tackle, Johnson is trapped in goal. Line drop out for England
New Zealand Kiwis 14-12
65
ZERO TACKLE for England and Ryan Hall almost bolting down the sideline to claim a try. England just 10 metres out
New Zealand Kiwis 14-12
64
Sam Tomkins tackles Issac Luke strongly and the ball is forced freed. Scrum for England 20 metres off their own goal line
New Zealand Kiwis 14-12
62
UNFORCED ERROR ENGLAND LIONS
Sean O'Loughlin makes an unforced error.
Sean O'Loughlin is unable to take the long pass from Sinfield and Kiwis are let off without conceding points. Scrum NZ 10 metres off their own line
New Zealand Kiwis 14-12
61
A messy set sees possession change hands twice and England attack again 10 metres out
New Zealand Kiwis 14-12
60
Penalty to England following the try. They kick ahead and attack from half way
New Zealand Kiwis 14-12
58
Kevin Sinfield with a brilliant cut out pass finds Kallum Watkins and he slips between the Kiwis defence to close the gap. Kevin Sinfield is unable to lock the game up with the conversion
New Zealand Kiwis 14-12
57
Zero tackle ruled as England's grubber kick is deflected off the Kiwis. They attack just 10 metres out
New Zealand Kiwis 14-8
56
Sam Kasiano is penalised for high and late contact off the ball. England roaming for points as they attack 20 metres out
New Zealand Kiwis 14-8
54
Penalty to the Kiwis as Sean O'Loughlin ruled to have stripped the ball out of the hands of Bryson Goodwin
New Zealand Kiwis 14-8
51
SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Penalty goal attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Shaun Johnson nails the penalty goal to extend the lead to 6 points as Gareth Widdop was penalised for taking out Kevin Locke
New Zealand Kiwis 14-8
51
Gareth Widdop draws a penalty as he made contact with Kevin Locke off the ball as Sam Tomkins took the catch. Penalty goal attempt from Shaun Johnson coming up
New Zealand Kiwis 12-8
49
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has had the ball stolen as England's White wall defence muscles up and stops the try on the left side.
New Zealand Kiwis 12-8
49
Penalty to England as Sam Burgess is ruled to have stripped the ball out of the hands of Sonny Bill Williams as he attempted to score.
New Zealand Kiwis 12-8
48
Sean O'Loughlin is penalised for not releasing from the ruck, a second push in the tackle sees the Kiwis march up to 40 metres out from the English goal line
New Zealand Kiwis 12-8
45
TRY NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Scored by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson unsuccessful.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is awarded his second try as he powered his way through the English defence despite the tackle attempts from Widdop and Cudjoe. Shaun Johnson with the conversion fails to slots the extras
New Zealand Kiwis 12-8
44
VIDEO REFEREE for New Zealand - Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is claiming points, looking at obstruction in the lead up
8 all
43
UNFORCED ERROR ENGLAND LIONS
Leroy Cudjoe makes an unforced error.
Leroy Cudjoe leapt above the pack to try and take the intercept as Shaun Johnson threw a floating pass. Another set on the goal line for the Kiwis from the scrum
8 all
41
Penalty to the Kiwis as Frank Paul Nuuausala is pushed down a second time in the ruck by Chris Hill. New Zealand attack 25 metres out from the England line.
8 all
41
Second half is underway here at Wembley Stadium as we are locked up at 8-all. England with first possession as the Kiwis kick off.
8 all
40
HALF TIME at Wembley Stadium sees England and New Zealand locked at 8-all
8 all
39
SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Penalty goal attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Shaun Johnson locks the game up with a successful penalty goal just before half time
8 all
37
Penalty to the Kiwis as Kevin Locke was kept off the ball. Shaun Johnson will line up a penalty goal to lock the scores up before half time
England Lions 8-6
36
England are denied their second try as the pass from Leroy Cudjoe to Ryan Hall is caught forward. Scrum packs for the Kiwis 10 metres off their goal line.
England Lions 8-6
36
ZERO TACKLE ruled for England as Sam Burgess put a grubber kick in. Kiwis deflect the ball and England have a full set 10 metres out
England Lions 8-6
35
Beautiful short kick from Gareth Widdop on the last tackle, England march up and trap Foran in goal. Line drop out for England
England Lions 8-6
34
Penalty ruled to England as Frank Paul Nuuausala cleaned up Josh Charnley with a high tackle. England attack just 10 metres out
England Lions 8-6
33
Change over for the Kiwis as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was caught with the ball on the last tackle. England with possession on halfway
England Lions 8-6
32
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is awarded his try by the video referee after Dean Whare pulled a rabbit out of hat and managed to flick the pass back in field as he headed over the sideline. A special play from the Kiwis has seen them close within two points with the successful kick from Johnson
England Lions 8-6
30
VIDEO REFEREE for the Kiwis, an incredible passage of play as we have gone left to right and seen a magical flick pass back in field from Dean Whare.
England Lions 8-0
29
Sam Tomkins gives up possession as soon as England have it from the scrum. Kiwis attack 35 metres out from the goal line.
England Lions 8-0
29
Shaun Johnson fails to get a clean kick away and the ball deflects off an England player and goes over the sideline. Scrum packs for England on halfway
England Lions 8-0
29
Shaun Johnson fails to get a clean kick away and the ball deflects off an England player and goes over the sideline. Scrum packs for England on halfway
England Lions 8-0
27
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck showing his power as Cudjoe is forced over the sideline as England shift the play to the right of the field. Scrum packs for the Kiwis 10 metres off their own line.
England Lions 8-0
26
Penalty to England against Bryson Goodwin for holding down in the ruck. Count is 4-3 in favour of England, they march up to halfway from the free kick.
England Lions 8-0
25
SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL ENGLAND LIONS
Penalty goal attempt by Kevin Sinfield successful.
Kevin Sinfield slots the penalty goal as England earn a penalty for the Kiwis holding back attackers from the play as Sam Burgess charged forward. Foran took out Gareth Widdop in the lead up
England Lions 8-0
24
Penalty ruled against the Kiwis as Sam Burgess broke through the defence and looked to charge to the goal line. Kevin Sinfield lining up a penalty goal
England Lions 6-0
23
James Roby with a great kick on the last tackle, almost sees Ryan Hall come up with the second try for England but it's forced dead by Kevin Locke. Line drop out is called for England, a repeat set for them.
England Lions 6-0
22
Gareth Widdop takes an intercept as Sam Kasiano threw an offload as he went to ground. England with possession on halfway
England Lions 6-0
21
Penalty to the Kiwis as England are ruled offside as James Graham tried to sneak in a field goal to cover the offside
England Lions 6-0
19
Leroy Cudjoe forces the mistake and the ball is spilt by Dean Whare as England looked to return serve out of their own half. England will attack 20 metres from their own line with a scrum feed
England Lions 6-0
16
TRY ENGLAND LIONS
Scored by Sean O'Loughlin. Conversion attempt by Kevin Sinfield successful.
Sean O'Loughlin has claimed first points for England as he busted through the Kiwis defence off a beautiful short offload from Sam Burgess. Kevin Sinfield with the conversion attempt slots the extras to extend the lead.
England Lions 6-0
14
UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves makes an unforced error.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves comes up with a mistake as Sam Tomkins threw the pass out of the back as he took the bomb from the Kiwis. England attack 25 metres out
0 all
13
UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Sonny Bill Williams makes an unforced error.
Shaun Johnson throws no look pass to Sonny Bill Williams and he was crunched by Leroy Cudjoe. Mistake gives England possession back in their own half.
0 all
12
Penalty to the Kiwis as Sam Tomkins took the ball offside as England attempted to defuse the bomb from Foran. Kiwis attack just 10 metres out
0 all
11
Penalty against Leroy Cudjoe for a slow ruck release, England concede the penalty to give New Zealand possession 10 metres short of halfway
0 all
10
Josh Charnley defuses the cross field kick from Kieran Foran on the 3rd tackle in goal. 20 metre restart for England as the Kiwis fail to mount pressure in the set
0 all
9
Ryan Hall with a brilliant chase as stopped a run away try from the Kiwis. NZ attack with a full set 15m out
0 all
7
Kevin Sinfield rushing his decision as he pushed a kick through the Kiwi defence on the 2nd tackle, an easy let off for New Zealand.
0 all
6
A massive boo echoes around Wembley as replays showed Sonny Bill Williams and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves collected Sam Burgess high in a tackle. Penalty as a result is ruled to England.
0 all
6
Time off here with Sam Burgess getting heavy contact up high in a tackle. A short breather being taken by the prop forward for England
0 all
5
Jason Nightingale has been forced over the sideline as the Kiwis shifted to the left of the field, brilliant line defence from Josh Charnley and co. Scrum for England 10 metres off their own line
0 all
4
NO TRY! Line drop out is called as Sam Tomkins kicked the ball dead. So close for Luke as he hoped to dive on his own short grubber kick
0 all
4
VIDEO REFEREE for New Zealand, Issac Luke is claiming a try as he raced off a grubber under the posts
0 all
2
First penalty of the match goes to the Kiwis for a strip in the ruck from James Roby, NZ kick ahead and attack 30 metres out from the England goal line.
0 all
1
We are UNDERWAY in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup Grand Final Qualifier between New Zealand and England. The Kiwis with first use of the ball as England kick off
0 all
The National Anthems have been sung, the Kiwis are now performing the Haka on centre field here at Wembley
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Both sides walking out onto Wembley side by side ahead of kick off.
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Welcome to LeagueUnlimited's LIVE coverage of the Rugby League World Cup Semi-Finals from Wembley Stadium. New Zealand take on England in the first match here at Wembley, it will be followed by Australia against Fiji.
TEAMS:
Kiwis: 1. Kevin Locke 2. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 3. Dean Whare 4. Bryson Goodwin 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Kieran Foran 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Issac Luke 10. Jesse Bromwich 13. Simon Mannering 12. Sonny Bill Williams 17. Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 14. Frank-Paul Nuuausala 15. Sam Kasiano 16. Ben Matulino 19. Alex Glenn
England: 1. Sam Tomkins 2. Josh Charnley 3. Kallum Watkins 4. Leroy Cudjoe 5. Ryan Hall 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Kevin Sinfield 8. James Graham 9. James Roby 10. Sam Burgess 11. Brett Ferres 12. Ben Westwood 13. Sean O’Loughlin
Interchange: 14. Rob Burrow 15. George Burgess 16. Chris Hill 17. Carl Ablett
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