大象传媒

One Pacific Island opponent down, one to go (89)

• Bryn Palmer
• 22 Sep 07, 07:38 PM

Nantes - So , like , survived what the hosts billed as another match couperet in this World Cup 鈥� couperet being the blade of the guillotine.

One notoriously dangerous Pacific Island opponent overcome; another, increasingly bullish, one awaits at the Parc des Princes on Friday.

The would suggest the world champions were twice as good as Samoa, but that is misleading in the extreme.

England鈥檚 heads were firmly on the block and, for 22 minutes of a pulsating second half in Nantes, were relishing their role as prospective executioners.

Jonny Wilkinson had kicked England into a relatively comfortable 26-15 lead early in the second half, but then fortune, and their own frailties, almost did for them.

The video referee鈥檚 decision to award Samoa scrum-half Junior Polu a try for what seemed barely minimal contact, let alone downward pressure, was a major turning point, visibly lifting Samoan spirits.

The neutrals among 37,000 enthralled spectators at the suddenly started to believe an upset was possible, and got right behind the underdogs, with chants of 鈥淎llez les Bleus鈥� (is there any other in France?) ringing round the ground.

From 23-6 to 26-22, the complexion of the match had changed dramatically. England were under the cosh, penalties were going against them, and the even the hitherto untroubled Jonny Wilkinson was not impervious to the pressure.

The celebrated fly-half sent a hospital pass to , who was collared man and ball, then lined up a right-footed drop goal reminiscent of his World Cup-winning effort, only to scuff it wide of the uprights.

Most remarkably, he proceeded to miss a penalty, 25m out and just left of centre, that he would normally expect to knock over in his deepest sleep.

England fans tried a chorus of , but it was half-hearted, betraying their tension at the unfolding crisis.

Another chance to relieve the pressure beckoned when Mathew Tait sprinted up the left touchline, with Mark Cueto alongside him.

But his pass missed the Sale winger, who had cut inside, completely, and after Samoa hooker had kicked the ball on, Lewsey showed tremendous composure under pressure to secure the ball with two Samoans bearing down on him.

But for the next five minutes the onslaught continued unabated. Andrew Sheridan managed to spoil a Samoan scrum five metres out, Andy Gomarsall and Wilkinson gang-tackled Henry Tuilagi, Martin Corry and George Chuter doubled up on his brother Alesana.

Wilkinson had the chance to put the ball off the field but didn鈥檛, and the Samoans came again, Joe Worsley putting in another big hit, this time on fly-half Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu.

Brian Ashton, sitting about five metres to my left, looked a worried man, as did his coaching staff.

One concerned England supporter in the tier above shouted down: 鈥淪ort it out Brian!鈥�

But having put the onus back on the players to come up with solutions prior to this game, the head coach was rewarded out on the pitch.

From the 47th minute to the 69th, England鈥檚 crown was in danger of being forcibly ripped from them, but the champions鈥� courage under fire could not be faulted, the defence held firm, and the siege was lifted.

鈥淚t was a proud moment,鈥� said Gomarsall, who excelled on his return to the side. 鈥淲e were under massive pressure at the time and that was really uplifting for us.鈥�

England rallied impressively, started to run some ball and build momentum, and were rewarded when Wilkinson landed a relieving, left-footed, drop-goal.

You sensed the worst was over, and the master marksman confirmed it minutes later when he banged over a penalty from halfway that gave England a 10-point cushion.

From there the confidence of the first half returned and they finished impressively, second tries for both Martin Corry and Paul Sackey securing an unlikely bonus point.

It was quite a salvage job and a welcome fillip after .

Corry said England will 鈥渘ot go overboard鈥� after putting in their first decent performance of this World Cup, and he is right to be cautious.

But there were enough signs on Saturday to suggest England should at least avoid the ignominy of becoming the first world champions to exit the tournament before the knock-out stages.

are not to be treated lightly, but a likely repeat of the , in Marseille in a fortnight, is now tantalisingly within reach.

Bryn Palmer is the 大象传媒 Sport website鈥檚 rugby union editor.

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