So England survived the terror of the Tongans and ran out 36-20 winners in Paris - but would they have done so without Jonny Wilkinson?

OK, I know Paul Sackey scored another two tries, and full credit to him. And the second-half scores by Matthew Tait and Andy Farrell (the Rugby League convert’s first in an England shirt) were out of the top drawer.

But Sackey’s opening effort - scored at time when England were tottering 10-3 adrift - was entirely down to the quick thinking of Wilkinson, whose metronomic tactical boot then ground the islanders down with a personal tally of 16 points.

'The difference between the two sides is that Tonga had no one in the same class as Wilkinson'


Everyone in the ground expected the Newcastle fly-half to take a pot at goal when England were awarded a penalty out on the left. Samoa certainly did - and they were left standing as Wilkinson’s quick pinpoint kick to the far corner was gleefully caught behind the tryline by Sackey and grounded with an inch to spare.

It was a cruel blow to Tonga, whose powerful opening had been highlighted by Sukanaivalu Hufanga crashing through and scoring under the posts, his sheer momentum carrying him the last few yards after he seemed to have been nailed.

Two Wilko-special drop goals ultimately crowned Wilko's personal show. He is now just five points short of Gavin Hastings‘s all-time World Cup record. And to me, the difference between the two sides on the night was that Tonga had no one in the same class.

They did precious little tactical kicking, no doubt because they aren’t experts in the art. But boy, how these guys can tackle with every sinew!

They came to win - no doubt about that. I thought the large English element in the crowd could have paid them more respect than drowning out their haka with a huge chorus of ‘Sweet Chariot’ - but that’s par for the course among the increasingly unsporting elements that infiltrate the stands these days.

Jeering and whistling of goal kicks seem to have become par of the game. I’m old-fashioned - if only we could return to the days when you couldn’t hear a pin drop, even when they opposition were taking a pot at goal.

Well, at least the fans still sit together…and don’t spend the entire match goading each other with inane obscene chants like the soccer louts do.

Tonga’s impressive start faded to some extent with Sackey’s two tries - the second an 80-metre run after the Tongans had made messed up a great scoring opportunity of their own by fumbling and losing the ball.

Had they scored at that point, who knows what would have happened? As it was, the try set the scene for a much more impressive second half by England.

The backs started to flow and with Tait looking particularly menacing, the Tongans were forced to spend long periods defending. Replacement Farrell’s try put the seal on victory - but even then the Tongans wouldn’t lie down. And a deserved last-gasp score in the left corner by flanker Hale T-Pole gave the final scoreline a more respectable look - something the Tongans deserved.

Their interest in the tournament may be over, but their remarkable contribution will never be forgotten.

For England, it’s Australia next. And while the Wallabies will start firm favourites to avenge their defeat in the 2003 final, if their nemesis Wilkinson can hit peak form, then Brian Ashton’s men might just upset the form book.

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