England have beaten Samoa 35-22 in one of the most exciting and hard fought matches of this Rugby World Cup.
In the perfect conditions for running rugby provided by a closed Testra Dome roof, Samoa dominated play for most of the match over their favoured English rivals in Melbourne.
The Pacific Islanders were quicker to the breakdown and more fearsome in attack before a front row change in the second half sparked an England turnaround, Jonny Wilkinson expertly taking advantage of a tiring Samoan side to snatch victory in the dying stages.
The first half provided the biggest shock witnessed at this Rugby World Cup, the fearless Pacific Islanders leading England 16-13 at half time in Melbourne.
Just like in the 1991 Tournament when they beat Wales, Samoa showed their unflinching courage against the big rugby nations from the opening minute of the match.
Samoa attacked strongly from the outset, their willingness to spread it wide, whilst comfortably controlling their phase play, meant that from the start England were scrambling on the defensive.
In the fourth minute Va’a put the Samoans infront with a penalty, but the relentless Pacific Island nation went on the attack again, putting together more of the same with full back Tanner Vili and wing Sailosi Tagicakibau touching the ball regularly.
Two minutes later Samoa were in for a try in the left corner through captain Semo Sititi after 10 phases and a Lome Fa’atau clear break down the right wing.
The first try England conceded in this Rugby World Cup came after Samoa controlled more than 90 percent of possession in the first 10 minutes.
Even the famed steady boot of Wilkinson was shaken by the Samoan storm, the fly half missing a penalty attempt in the 16th minute.
It took 25 minutes before England could regain their composure, the forwards getting down to the Samoan line before pushing over for Neil Back to score.
With Wilkinson converting this time the pre match favourites were finally back in touch, trailing by three points, 10-7.
Wilkinson kicked again three minutes later to level the scores, but Samoa regained the lead through two Va’a penalties.
In the closing minutes of the first half Wilkinson missed a penalty attempt again, before finally kicking another to take the number one ranked side in the world to within three points of the lead.
The first 10 minutes of the second half provided no real ascendancy for either side, before substitutions to the England pack with Steve Thompson, Lewis Moody and Phil Vickery replacing Mark Regan, Joe Worsley and Julian White giving the team fresh legs and an immediate effect on the scoreboard.
The forward phase play and constant pressure on the Samoan line gave England a penalty try under the posts in the 52th minute, the pre match favourites going ahead for the first time.
However Earl Va’a put Samoa ahead 22-20 after two converted penalties and the team that had never put together three wins in a row at the Rugby World Cup were looking as if they could well beat the Tournament favourites.
The packed Melbourne crowd was a stormy sea of emotion, cheers rising and falling to the best match of the Rugby World Cup so far as each side took turns attacking their opponent's line.
Fifteen minutes to go and England’s backs were starting to look dangerous for the first time, their confidence rising after Wilkinson put his side in the lead with a drop goal.
And it was Wilkinson who moments later put the dagger in the heart of the Samoan side, a visionary kick finding a charging Iain Balshaw on the full behind the Samoan defence, the winger having only to dive to find the try line.
A converted Vickery try after the England backs ran some explosive running plays and England were ahead 35-22.
Still the ever brave Samoans kept breaking through the English defence right to the end, the scores remained unchanged at full time but the warriors in blue left the field to a standing ovation, no crowd having seen a better match this Tournament.
England now play Uruguay in Brisbane on 2 November for their final match and will likely go through to the quarter finals as Pool C champions.
Samoa will play South Africa a day earlier in Brisbane, when both sides will be fighting for their RWC lives with the winner to join England in the quarter finals.