Recap: England vs New Zealand LIVE | Rugby World Cup

Follow all the action on the RugbyPass live blog from the World Cup semi-final match between England versus New Zealand in Yokohama.

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England’s clash with New Zealand is their biggest game at the finals since reaching the decider in 2007 which they lost to South Africa. Here are five talking points heading into the match:

Moment of truth

Eddie Jones made it clear from the instant he was appointed four years ago that he wanted to be judged on England’s performance at the World Cup.

Now the defining moment of his reign has arrived, a match he insists he has been preparing for since the draw was made in Kyoto in May 2017. Judgement day awaits.

(Continue reading below…)

Beyond Japan

Shrouded in uncertainly, Jones’ future provides a fascinating subtext to the knockout phase. Defeat to Australia in the quarter-finals would have pushed him towards the exit door, but his Twickenham stewardship now looks far more secure, regardless of the outcome against New Zealand. And he is not without alternative options, having been linked to Fiji and Australia.

New Zealand chase three-peat

The All Blacks‘ more recent World Cup record is remarkable having not lost a game since 2007. In the intervening years, they have lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy twice and are favourites to claim a third successive global crown on November 2. If England are to repeat their achievement of 2003, they will have done it the hard way.

With Owen Farrell impeccable as the England No10 last weekend, @AndyGoode10 believes Eddie Jones has got it wrong by switching him to No12 to accommodate George Ford's recall versus the All Blacks https://t.co/OgWuhLQ7XK

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 25, 2019

Winning formula

Although England were edged 16-15 by the All Blacks at Twickenham last autumn, their ranks are full of players who know what it takes to topple the world champions. Ten of the starting XV have tasted victory against them, as either part of the famous 2012 triumph or with the Lions who prevailed in the second Test in Wellington two years ago.

Ford as ringmaster

The biggest selection story of England’s World Cup has been the identity of their fly-half and it is George Ford who has been given the nod on this occasion, nudging Owen Farrell to inside centre.

Ford was dropped against Australia in order to stiffen the defence knowing the problems bulldozing centre Samu Kerevi can cause, but it is felt that an extra pair of playmaker’s eyes and hands are what is required against New Zealand.

WATCH: Jim Hamilton previews World Cup semi-final weekend in the latest episode of Don’t Mess With Jim