They shouldn't necessarily have to in my opinion. I think that the tournament would have been much more exciting if the semi-final matches were drawn out of a hat. They are both being held at one venue so there is no issue with that. The group stage finishing positions provided advantages in the QFs and I cannot see why that needed to extend to the SFs. As it was widely predicted that only 3 teams could conceivably win it to give one (arguably the favourites) a guaranteed "easier" SF was not good for the tournament, IMO. (This all assumes the SF's actually become those anticipated by all!).

Unfortunately I think England missed their chance of making the final in week 1 when they were beat by Oz. Everyone knew the loser of that game would face NZ in a semi, and the last 3 weeks has confirmed that its highly likely to be and Oz v NZ final.



Having said that, I hope England do get to OT but can anyone see the current England team beating NZ and Oz in the space of 7 days?

Why not! NZ are a very good side but they're beatable and they don't hold that same mental edge over us that the Aussies do. If we can start quick and get on a role I think we can take the game to them and tire their big men out. We would lose a bit of physicality in defence by leaving out McIlorum but we need Roby and Burrow in there running out of dummy half at Kasiano and co.



It should be a classic tussle either way.

Still remember the pain of the 2008 group game, when England were 24-8 up after about 30 mins against NZ, only to lose 24-36.

:24aa1f0d



That was the group game not the semi final



8 November 2008

England 24–36 New Zealand

Report

Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle

Attendance

Referee/s: Tony Archer (Australia)

Despite getting out to a 24 – 8 lead early in the match, England's woes continued as they were blitzed in the second half by New Zealand's five unanswered tries.





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Of course we don’t know if England will make the final but they certainly can. The plaudits being handed out to this NZ team are way over the top, they have some world class players (three who would challenge for a place in a world 17 in Tuivasa-Sheck, Williams and Waerea-Hargreaves) but also some players who have been made to look good by some easy group games



England can beat this New Zealand team but not will beat them – and alongside so many other unpredictable games, this is what is making this world cup so good

Yes, you're right, it was the Group Game (edited original post).



We were always trying to play catch-up in the Semi.

England: Wellens (St Helens); Calderwood (Wigan), Sykes (Bradford), Senior (Leeds), Smith (Leeds); Gleeson (Warrington), Burrow (Leeds); Morley (Warrington), Higham (Wigan), Peacock (Leeds, capt), Jones-Buchanan (Leeds), Ellis (Leeds), Purdham (Harlequins).



Interchange: Sinfield (Leeds), Westwood (Warrington), Hock (Wigan), Langley (Bradford).



looking back at the team that day too and we really have come a long way since then.We moan about our centres but crikey, Paul Sykes! Our halves get slated but look, Gleeson pulling the strings!



With home advantage this time and a much improved side we do have hope.

Looking at that side I'd say the current 1-5 are much stronger (although weaker at 4)/



6 and 7 about the same.



8-13 - overall a little stronger now.



14-17 - stronger now (although interesting that Sinfield only made the bench back then).

Hang on everybody...there is a little team called France to get past first. I don't for one minute hope France will beat England, and based upon performances so far in this tournament, France won't, but that is EXACTLY the point for me. I think France are DUE a performance and it might just be at the DW Stadium this weekend!

Not an unfair point, and I want France to put in a good performance, but I simply cannot see them mustering sufficient improvement to beat an England team which is better both in every department, as a team, and man on man. The only QF I don't expect to be one-sided is the Fiji v Samoa one, which promises to be absolutely cracking. I wish I could get to see that one.