England 19-7 New Zealand
HT 10-0
Tries: Tuilagi/Savea
Conversions: Farrell/Mo'unga
Penalties: Ford (4)
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| Photo from BBC Sport |
England took a 10-0 lead into half time, with Manu Tuilagi's try the earliest in a match that the All Blacks had ever conceded in the second minute, in addition to a long range penalty from George Ford before the break.
The video referee ruled out tries by Sam Underhill and Ben Youngs for the 2003 champions, the outcome of which was an empowered New Zealand, reducing the deficit to 13-7 when Ardie Savea pounced on a wayward line-out throw.
England held on, though, thanks in part to three nerveless penalties by Ford, and the young guns of Underhill and Tom Curry were dominant in the back row as England held off to pull of one of their most remarkable victories.
Not only was England's performance brilliant, it was an unlikely defeat for New Zealand - their first in a World Cup match for 12 years, having beaten England in 15 of their last 16 meetings between the two nations.
But after crashing out in the group stage four years ago on home soil, England dethroned the defending champions with a energetic performance which will be remembered for years to come.
Wales 16-19 South Africa
HT 6-9
Tries: Adams/de Allende
Conversions: Halfpenny/Pollard
Penalties: Biggar (3)/Pollard (4)
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| Photo from BBC Sport |
In an attritional first half, Pollard scored three penalties to give the Springboks a 9-6 lead at the break, seeking to overpower the Welsh forwards and kick them into submission.
A Dan Biggar penalty brought Wales level early in the second period, before Damian de Allende burst through the Welsh defence to take a 16-9 lead for South Africa.
Wales, sensing they needed to go for it, boldly opted for a scrum rather than a penalty in front of the posts.
They managed to work the ball wide for Josh Adams to dive over, the conversion of which made it 16-16.
The stage was therefore set for a captivating final 10 minutes in which Wales drove forward, searching for a win that would keep hopes alive of Warren Gatland's tenure with the team ending with the William Webb Ellis trophy.
Those hopes were dashed as Pollard struck his fourth, and the ultimately decisive, penalty four minutes from time.
Gatland's reign as Wales head coach will instead end with a third-place play-off against his native New Zealand, while South Africa will play England to decide who will become world champions.
Draw
Third-place match
New Zealand v Wales (1 November, Chofu)
The Final
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