England reach Four Nations Final
England booked their place in next week’s Four Nations final against Australia as they defeated New Zealand 28-6 at the KC Stadium in Hull this evening.
It was England who had a lucky escape in the early stages after the video referee denied a Kevin Locke try for New Zealand. Tomkins failed to gather a Benji Marshall high bomb kick although the New Zealand attackers were deemed to be offside by video ref Ian Smith.
Shortly after, New Zealand loose forward Jeremy Smith could consider himself lucky after driving his elbow into Sam Tomkins head once the tackle had been completed. However, despite referee Matt Cecchin seeing the incident, he placed Smith on report.
After a 28 minute stalemate, England finally got the breakthrough when the ball was spread wide for Hull FC winger Tom Briscoe to touch down in the corner at his home ground. Sinfield adding the extras from out wide.
England came close again soon after when James Graham crashed over only for the video ref to deny the effort after he adjudged the NRL bound forward was held up.
Just before the half time hooter, Issac Luke tackled Rangi Chase but then appeared to bend Chase’s knee back which resulted in a penalty for the English. Sinfield was successful with the boot from out wide to leave the half time score at 8-0 in favour of England.
England extended their lead after the break after Reed caught a Sinfield kick, flicked it back to Westwood who passed to Hall who superbly touched down in the corner in a similar fashion to the try he scored against Australia. Sinfield again converting from the touch line.
New Zealand did get on the score sheet on the hour mark when Jason Nightingale squeezed in at the corner for the try. Marshall adding the two points from the touch line.
When Marshall committed a high tackle on Tomkins, Sinfield opted for the two points and easily slotted the ball between the uprights to extend England‘s lead to 16-6.
Graham won the game for England on the 72nd minute when he crashed over after a superb length of the field break by Briscoe, despite video replays showing that Briscoe could have obtained the ball in a 2-on-1 illegal tackle. Sinfield again adding the extras.
Tomkins rounded off the scoring in the final minutes when Jones-Buchanan broke through to pass inside to the full back who touched down under the sticks. Sinfield adding the two points to maintain a 100% record with the boot and leave the final score at England 28-6 New Zealand.
Tomkins, Hall, Reed, Yeaman, Briscoe, Sinfield, Chase, Graham, Roby, Peacock, Wilkin, Westwood, Heighington
Subs: Widdop, Morley, Jones-Buchanan, Carvell
Tries: Hall, Briscoe, Graham, Tomkins
Goals: Sinfield (6)
Locke, Beale, Brown, Mannering, Nightingale, Marshall, Foran, Matulino, Leuluai, Packer, Manu, Blair, Smith
Subs: Like, Glenn, Waerea-Hargreaves, Taylor
Tries: Hightingale
Goals: Marshall
MOTM: Kevin Sinfield
Att: 23,447