Wilkinson shatters Wallabies again

MARSEILLE, France -- England's superb pack and the reliable boot of Jonny Wilkinson gave the world champions an unexpected 12-10 victory over their old foes Australia in a dogged but thrilling World Cup quarterfinal in Marseille.

The win means that England will continue the defense of their trophy against France in Paris next Saturday, after the host country pulled off an equally unexpected triumph over favorites New Zealand in Cardiff.

The Wallabies were confident that they would avenge their defeat in the 2003 final but they reckoned without an immense performance from the England forwards.

And once again Wilkinson made the difference with four penalty goals to an Australian try by Lote Tuqiri and five points kicked by Stirling Mortlock.

In the process Wilkinson became the World Cup's leading points scorer by topping Gavin Hastings' tally of 227 when he landed his second penalty.

It capped a welcome comeback for Wilkinson, who has spent much of the last four years on the sidelines with injuries after kicking the winning drop goal in the 2003 final.

Australian captain Stirling Mortlock had a chance to snatch victory with a 47-meter penalty with two minutes left, but the ball drifted well wide.

A disappointed Mortlock conceded that England deserved their victory.

"Unfortunately I missed a couple of goals, which I wasn't happy about," he said.

"Full credit to the way England played today. It was a very tight physical battle."

England full-back Jason Robinson said: "Every man and his dog had written us off but we can rise to the occasion. Only 30 people in the world believed we could do it. We are in this to win it and hopefully we can go all the way."

There was little flowing attacking rugby on view but it was a titanic struggle and the result was in doubt right up until the final whistle.

England had a bright opening two minutes but the Wallabies hit back and earned three penalties in the first 12 minutes.

Mortlock was only able to convert one of them though, in the seventh minute, and the England forwards constantly made things uncomfortable for their opponents.

The pressure brought penalties for Wilkinson who gave England a 6-3 lead by the 26th minute.

But although the Wallabies looked rattled at times and became inaccurate with their passes, they scored the game's only try seven minutes before half-time.

After a rare flowing move Matt Giteau and Mortlock created an opening for Tuqiri to score his first test try since June. Mortlock converted and Australia led 10-6 at half-time.

England put Australia under immense pressure in the scrums immediately after the restart and England had nine phases before Wilkinson accepted the opportunity to put over a 53rd minute penalty to cut the deficit to one point.

When England were awarded a scrum close to the Wallabies' try-line Rocky Elsom was penalized and Wilkinson kicked what proved to be the decisive points with 20 minutes left.

Berrick Barnes missed a long-range drop effort and Wilkinson was also wide with an attempted drop as time was running out.

The England man then had another straightforward penalty opportunity when Gregan blundered six minutes from the end, but he missed and England's supporters had to survive Mortlock's late penalty attempt in the nerve-jangling closing minutes. E-mail to a friend