16-10-23, 04:02
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re: Rugby World Cup Semi-Finals: South Africa & New Zealand Go Through to FINAL
Rugby World Cup: England Return Joy to Fans in Marseille by Reaching Semi-Finals
England Delivered Victory Against Fiji England 30 Fiji 24
BBC 16 OCT 2023
England mens' rugby fans may not have had much fun in the past year.
There was a disappointing Six Nations, a shaky World Cup preparation and a pool stage that threw up more questions than answers.
But in Marseille on Sunday, after a nerve-shredding World Cup quarter-final, there was joy.
Owen Farrell's late drop-goal and penalty concluded a promising match with a tense end to deliver victory against Fiji.
It brought a pure joy reminiscent of England's last World Cup knockout victory - a semi-final win against New Zealand in 2019.
The feeling may have tapered when the reality that they would have to face South Africa next after the Springboks' sublime win against France hit later on Sunday.
But England started well - better than they have in a year - with monstrous defence, thrilling attack and high intensity.
Fiji struck with, as England head coach Steve Borthwick put it, "a couple of thunderbolts" as they scored two tries in quick succession to level things late on, but England found a way to win.
'Find a way to win' has become a buzz phrase for Borthwick and his men - captain Owen Farrell mentioned it at least three times in his post-match news conference.
"In a period of time not that long ago, the England team probably isn't coming back to win that game," Borthwick said.
"This team did. There is a smartness about the team, a composure led by this man (Owen Farrell)."
But the joy for fans flowed from more than just the dramatic finish. Maybe it was even sweeter because of the dour year they have lived through since Eddie Jones was prematurely sacked and Borthwick stepped up at the end of 2022.
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