Ben Earl tanks up, England wins against Fiji Image: AP
Favorites England start well in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup and quickly gain a lead. Fiji stays true to its risky style of play, equalizes and narrowly misses victory.
Former rugby world champions England have reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in France. The 2003 champion beat outsiders Fiji 30:24 (21:10) in Marseille on Saturday.
Favorite England started strongly and quickly gained a lead, but Fiji managed to equalize at 24:24 in the second half. The English almost lost their commanding lead in the sold-out Stade Velodrome in Marseille in front of Princess Catherine, patron of the English Rugby Association. Fiji, in only their second World Cup quarter-final since 2007, stayed true to their risky style of play but narrowly missed out on victory. In the preliminary round, the Flying Fijians sensationally left the Australians behind.
In the fight for a place in the final, the English will face either hosts France or defending champions South Africa. Both teams meet on Sunday evening in Saint-Denis. The final will also take place there on October 28th.
The All Blacks from New Zealand and Argentina face each other in the second semi-final. On Saturday evening, three-time world champion New Zealand defeated world number one Ireland 28:24 (18:17) in a dramatic quarter-final at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
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Argentina surprisingly won against Wales 29:17 (6:10) in Marseille and made it into the semi-finals for the third time.
