Owen Farrell’s ultimate Rugby World Cup likelihood gone? | Steve Borthwick: We thought we might gained it | Rugby Union Information

When coming into right into a contest because the out and out underdogs, there’s something much more heartbreaking in dropping in a detailed contest quite than being blown out of the water – that’s what England skilled of their 16-15 defeat to South Africa within the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup.

England dominated for 78 minutes of the competition, particularly within the first half, Alex Mitchell kicking to perfection and the ahead pack laying essentially the most unimaginable of platforms.

Owen Farrell, who has come below intense scrutiny all through this match, was a standout for England they usually regarded just like the England of {old}: ruthless, well-drilled, and dealing as one.

One remorse England may need is that their game-plan apparently relied on the notion that it was going to be near-impossible for them to cross the whitewash. Within the large dances, wins with such a defensive attacking mindset are by no means going to come back straightforward.

Two-and-a-half minutes may be the distinction between the best of highs and the cruellest of lows in sport and South Africa as soon as once more had been on the proper facet of that emotional battle as Handre Pollard’s late penalty put the Spriongboks forward for the primary time within the recreation.

In the event that they win the Rugby World Cup, they’ll have gained it the laborious approach however for now, England will probably be ruminating on what might have been…

Greenwood: The very best England efficiency in three years; It is devastating for them

Former England centre and 2003 World Cup winner Will Greenwood advised Sky Sports activities after full-time…

“Within the quick time period, it is devastating for them. By way of the long run, though they might not see it like that, it was a merely sensational efficiency.

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Ex-England participant Will Greenwood evaluations how shut England was to reaching the Rugby World Cup ultimate after a detailed defeat to South Africa.

“The primary half couldn’t have been higher for England. Manie Libbok kicked poorly and was taken off; we received at their lineout.

“England performed the letter of the regulation completely spot-on. South Africa went the incorrect facet, we began to choose up the penalties and accumulate the factors. South Africa themselves turned some factors down, went to the nook, however England defended the lineout drive fabulously effectively.

“It was restricted rugby, however that is what you do within the moist climate. The pack had been excellent. Farrell was magnificent. We had been throughout them.

“However the substitution that they made… Ox Nche and Vincent Koch come on at loosehead and tighthead and shifted the dynamics of the scrum. And whenever you take Eben Etzebeth off, you suppose ‘wow, we have gained this recreation’, however they then carry on a 6’10” geezer known as RG Snyman who dominated the lineout, began to dump and finally ends up scoring the attempt.

“It was a correct Take a look at match. By way of World Cup semi-final, it was every part final night time [New Zealand vs Argentina] wasn’t. It was an intense affair.

“England had been written off however pushed all of them the best way. Everybody predicted a New Zealand versus South Africa ultimate..they did not see it coming this fashion.

“Tonight, England have given their finest efficiency in a white shirt for two-to-three years. Steve Borthwick has managed to pay money for these boys, had a grasp plan, and caught to his weapons.

“In comparison with the place we had been, it is large strides ahead. However that’s no comfort for these boys and Steve Borthwick who, with 5 or 6 minutes left on the clock, will need to have thought they had been in a World Cup ultimate.”

Farrell: I am unbelievably proud

England skipper Farrell, who at 32 could also be one in every of numerous gamers who’ve performed their ultimate World Cup Take a look at, refused to suppose negatively within the speedy aftermath.

Owen Farrell exuded a way of understanding that his ultimate likelihood of profitable a World Cup had come and gone within the heartbreaking loss

“I’ve seen him do this just a few instances [Pollard]. That is a clutch kick if ever I’ve seen one, so truthful play to him,” Farrell stated.

“My overriding feeling now just isn’t an excessive amount of in regards to the recreation, however how proud I’m of the group. How proud I’m over what they’ve performed during the last 5 months collectively. It isn’t all gone our approach.

“The struggle we have proven in the present day and energy we put in. The sheer will at instances in the present day was excellent and I hope we made everybody proud again residence as effectively.

“That is undoubtedly the final World Cup for some individuals, however one factor I do know is that this crew has received a vibrant future.

“Delight is the one factor in my head on the minute. We have type of been by all of it, it has been an actual rollercoaster.”

Borthwick: The gamers had been magnificent; This can be a superb group of gamers

England head coach Steve Borthwick advised ITV Sport…

England gamers regarded dejected because the match ended 15-16 to South Africa

“From our level view, I believed the gamers had been magnificent.

“Sure there are issues we might have performed higher, however we’re dissatisfied as a result of we thought we had been going to win the sport. Coming right here tonight we thought we might win the sport.

“As I stand right here proper now, the gamers must be actually happy with their efficiency, and the supporters must be actually happy with their crew.

“It is too early proper now to analyse a recreation like that. We’ll mirror, get well.

“This can be a superb group of gamers.”

Steward: Sport is merciless however we have now to make use of this emotion

England’s Freddie Steward advised ITV Sport…

Freddie Steward confirmed his emotion each within the Nationwide Anthem and on the finish of the match after a stellar efficiency that resulted in defeat

“Disappointment however proud on the identical time.

“We had been written off earlier than in the present day, and that efficiency reveals how tight this group is and what we’re able to.

“I am so happy with the lads, and it is a disgrace we could not get there tonight. It is a recreation of fantastic margins.

“First half we put in a extremely stable efficiency, and we had been most likely within the driving seat at half-time.

“However then we simply misplaced a little bit of dominance on the set-piece, dropped just a few balls and made just a few errors, and South Africa made us pay for that.

“We had been so shut. Sport is merciless typically, and there is numerous emotion from the boys. We now have to make use of that.”

Kolisi: It was ugly however I am happy with the struggle we confirmed

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi advised ITV Sport…

The England gamers had been visibly emotional after their loss to South Africa

“Truthfully, all of the laborious work we have put in is paying off.

“It was ugly in the present day, that is what champions are made from.

“I give all credit score to England, they labored laborious. Coach Steve and Owen, they pulled themselves collectively they usually confirmed who they’re. They don’t seem to be a crew to be taken flippantly.

“To my crew, it was ugly in the present day, prefer it was final week, however we discovered a technique to struggle again and get again into the sport, so effectively performed to the boys.

“I am actually happy with the struggle that we confirmed.”

What’s subsequent?

The victory for South Africa means they now face New Zealand in a World Cup ultimate on the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday October 28 (8pm kick-off BST).

The defeat for England means they arrive up in opposition to Argentina in subsequent week’s World Cup third-place play-off on the Stade de France in Paris on Friday October 27 (8pm kick-off BST).