Chiefs duo help England into last four

By Mike Smith
19/10/19

Exeter Chiefs duo Henry Slade and Luke Cowan-Dickie played their part as England booked themselves a place in the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup with a 40-16 victory over Australia in Oita.

Slade, who was making his first start of the tournament, enjoyed an impressive display before replaced late on by George Ford, while Cowan-Dickie was himself a late replacement as Eddie Jones's side set-up a last four meeting with world champions New Zealand.

Post-match Jones hailed his England players' Samurai spirit following a record-equalling victory over the Wallabies.

England's win at Oita Stadium was secured by four tries, including a double for wing Jonny May on his 50th cap, and 20 points from captain Owen Farrell.

The dominant display underlined England's pedigree as possible World Cup winners, though holders New Zealand await them in the semis next weekend.

"It was a do-or-die game today," England head coach Jones said. "And the best Samurai were always the guys who had a plan but could adapt, had a calm head but were full of aggression, and I thought we were like that today.

"The challenge is how we get better, because there is always a better Samurai around the corner.

"We want to keep challenging ourselves. How do we get better next week?"

England led only 17-16 early in the second half, before scoring 23 unanswered points and leaving their opponents searching for answers.

Prop Kyle Sinckler and wing Anthony Watson followed May over the Wallabies try-line in one of England's most efficient performances under Jones.

"He (Sinckler) found himself in an advanced attacking position (for his try) and got a great pass from Owen (Farrell) and then he was a runaway rhino," Jones added. "I'm really impressed by how hard he is working at improving his game. I thought (flankers) Tom Curry and Sam Underhill did very well, and the young fella Lewis Ludlam when he went on. The effort from Billy Vunipola was outstanding, absolutely outstanding. Maybe it helped having his wife here, so we have to make sure his wife stays next week!"

And on May, he said: "It is a great achievement to play 50 times for your country. There is probably not a more professional player than him. He showed what a good finisher he is. He just had a little bit of a twinge at the end, so we took him off, but he should be fine."

Jones, who coached Australia to the 2003 World Cup final admitted that he was enjoying the win and did not have any commiserations for Australia or Michael Cheika at the time.

"It's tough when you lose a game, particularly at this level of the world Cup," said Jones.