NONE of them had the biggest of impacts, but the three Wolves players in England’s side can say they played their part in a thrilling spectacle of rugby league.
The 20-18 victory over Tonga, who scored three tries in five minutes to set up the most thrilling of finishes, means they will get to contest a World Cup final next week.
Kevin Brown passed a head test to start at stand-off, with Chris Hill taking up his regular spot in the front row and Ben Currie starting on the bench.
For a man who was knocked out just seven games again, Brown did not take a backwards step in defence in the face of some bruising Tongan carries.
The Wolves man formed part of some superb scrambling defence from England which kept Tonga off the scoresheet for the majority of the game, including gobbling up a loose ball from an offload with Tonga right on the England line.
Some of his kicking was slightly wayward, giving easy ball to dangerous wingers Daniel Tupou and David Fusitu’a, but Brown can be happy with his contributions.
Kevin Brown had some impressive moments in defence for England. Here he is tackling Manu Ma'u. Picture by NRLPhotos
Hill’s minutes were low, coming off early and not reappearing until just after the hour mark, but he completed an error-free performance.
He was involved in one flashpoint, engaging in pushing and shoving with Siliva Havili and Andrew Fifita as the game ticked down to the end.
Chris Hill belts out the national anthem alongside Alex Walmsley and James Roby. Picture by NRLPhotos.
Currie was not introduced from the bench until just before the hour mark and could not add to the two tries he already has at this tournament.
All three will now be keen to impress Wayne Bennett as much as they can in training to secure a place in the team to face Australia in the showpiece final at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
On the other side of the field, Ben Murdoch-Masila came off the bench to good effect for Tonga as they almost achieved the seemingly impossible.
The big second rower has caught the eye at this tournament for his barnstorming performances from the interchanges, and today was no different in his customary right-edge second row position.
Ben Currie moves the ball on quickly. Picture by NRLPhotos
Ben Currie helps to bring down Tonga full-back Will Hopoate. Picture by NRLPhotos
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