Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Who had his best game for England and who 'seemed to be everywhere' - England player ratings

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Saturday, 26 October 2019 12:57

England are into the World Cup final for the first time in 12 years after seeing off New Zealand in Yokohama.

Eddie Jones' side produced an outstanding display in the 19-7 victory to inflict the All Blacks' first loss at the tournament since 2007.

But who were the standout performers from England's impressive semi-final victory?

Former England fly-half and BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Paul Grayson has rated each player's performance below.

Backs

Elliot Daly: (8) His ghosting outside break created the first try. Coped well with the move to the wing after Jonny May went off.

Anthony Watson: (8) Flashing feet and a constant menace. Got the better of George Bridge and shut down the Kiwi winger in defence.

Jonny May: (8) Dominated Sevu Reece and exposed New Zealand's weak link in the back three. A master of his craft in the air.

Manu Tuilagi: (9) His best game for England, a constant threat in attack and stifled New Zealand's wide play with his clever defence. A world-class performance.

Owen Farrell: (8) Ran some great lines in the opening quarter and helped George Ford put width on the attack. Gave up the goal-kicking duties after a bang to his leg.

George Ford: (9) The man of the moment. When the questions were asked George Ford stood up. Took over kicking duties to put England out of sight and orchestrated a masterful kicking display to squeeze the life out of the All Blacks. Seized the day.

Ben Youngs: (8) Fantastic all-round display, maintained tempo when England were on attack, and unlucky to have his try disallowed. The best he's been for a while.

Forwards

Mako Vunipola: (9) Passed, carried, hit, scrummaged and lifted with equal aplomb. He is essential to England's attacking plan.

Jamie George (8): England found space for their jumpers and George found them with a superb throwing display. Dynamism in the loose in attack and a defensive organiser.

Kyle Sinckler: (8) A dynamic display from the barnstorming tight-head, re-writing the rule book on what's capable from that side of the scrum. Hobbled off with injury.

Courtney Lawes: (8) A constant menace in defence and carried the ball strongly in the opening period. Reliable as ever and called a superb line-out.

Maro Itoje: (9) Back to his brilliant best - disciplined, influential, accurate and leads from the front. A top-class performer.

Tom Curry: (9) Relentless doesn't even get close. In attack and defence he seemed to be everywhere. Control of the blindside out of the top drawer. Not seen a performance like that since Richard Hill graced the field.

Sam Underhill: (9) Carved out of granite, Underhill's thunderous tackling and strangulation of the breakdown were vital to England's success. The modern day open-side machine.

Billy Vunipola: (8) Devastating ball carrier, disciplined and accurate in defence. His two flankers afford him the space to do some damage carrying the ball and his big brother keeps him happy.

Replacements

Henry Slade: (8) Comfortable in more than one position - settled in at full-back and made a try-saving hit on Sevu Reece. An influential player in England's 23.

Willi Heinz: (7) An easy 20 minutes for scrum-half Heinz because England were so dominant. He was accurate, kept the machine ticking on.

Dan Cole: (7) Veteran tight-head prop, called into action earlier than expected. A rock in the scrum, solid in defence, even had a couple of trundles. Nice cameo.

George Kruis: (7) Added to England's total dominance up front. England's pack finished with total domination.

Luke Cowan-Dickie: (7) Watched Jamie George put in a massive performance, must have enjoyed riding the chariot home.

Joe Marler: (7) Prop gave George Ford a big hug before the game and Ford had the game of his life. Well done, Joe.

Mark Wilson: (8) Gritty doesn't cover it. A key turnover when the game was in the balance maintained England's superiority. Mental strength as well as physical.

Jonathan Joseph: (7) A good day to make sure everybody got on the field. Joseph adds a lot but didn't have time to do much.

Read 391 times

Soccer

NL quarterfinal draw: Spain to face Netherlands

NL quarterfinal draw: Spain to face Netherlands

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe draw for the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals was made on Frid...

Premier League injury and suspension news, predicted lineups, fantasy updates

Premier League injury and suspension news, predicted lineups, fantasy updates

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFind out who is missing through injury, who's in a race against tim...

Premier League changes APT rules after City case

Premier League changes APT rules after City case

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Premier League has announced changes to its Associated Party Tr...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Pistons' Cunningham exits vs. Hornets after fall

Pistons' Cunningham exits vs. Hornets after fall

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Detroit guard Cade Cunningham left Thursday nigh...

George has bone bruise, to miss at least 2 games

George has bone bruise, to miss at least 2 games

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPhiladelphia 76ers star Paul George has a bone bruise in his left k...

Baseball

Ohtani 'slowly ramping up' in post-surgery rehab

Ohtani 'slowly ramping up' in post-surgery rehab

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- Shohei Ohtani is in the early stages of rehabbing fr...

City OKs, then reverses $23M to fix Rays' stadium

City OKs, then reverses $23M to fix Rays' stadium

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The St. Petersburg City Council reversed co...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated