Tonga 18 England 20

ENGLAND are into the Rugby League World Cup Final after triumphing in a pulsating encounter with Tonga.

Wayne Bennett’s side were superb defensively for most of the game, but had to resist a superb Tongan fightback to hold on for victory.

Jermaine McGillvary, Gareth Widdop and John Bateman scored England’s tries to put them in next Saturday’s Brisbane showpiece.

It means England will finish the tournament the way they started it, against hosts, defending champions and red-hot favourites Australia.

Auckland’s Mount Smart Stadium was a 30,000 sell-out, with the vast majority of the raucous crowd backing the Tongans.

However, their enthusiasm was blunted by a terrific England start, with a set scrum move leading to McGillvary crossing in the right corner.

Shortly after that, Widdop brushed off a tackle to crash over from Elliot Whitehead’s offload to put England firmly in command.

However, for the remainder of the first half and the beginning of the second, Tonga created some momentum but a combination of poor execution and superb, scrambling defence meant they could not take advantage.

Their biggest chance came when Daniel Tupou was found unopposed on the left wing but he inexplicably spilled the ball.

England made them pay as Widdop’s penalty goal took them out to a three-score lead before Bateman spun through a tackle to touch down.

Tonga, however, did not take their fate lying down and Tevita Pangai Junior found a gap in a previously rock-solid England defence, just about getting the ball down.

Unbelievably though, Siliva Havili broke through before Tuimola Lolohea finished Jason Taumalolo’s break to set up an unbelievable grandstand finish.

Tonga pounded the England line in the two minutes that remained, but England clung on for a thrilling victory.