KEY POINTS:
England 12
Australia 10
A decade of test props will have wept tears of joy at the comeuppance finally handed out to an Australian front row in Marseille yesterday.
For years, the likes of Bill Young, Al Baxter and Matt Dunning have wriggled, squirmed, tumbled and argued
their way through test matches, with the persuasive tongue of George Gregan providing the support for their shortcomings.
But in England, and referee Alain Rolland, Australia got found out.
And if you're looking for reasons why England managed to defy just about all but the most patriotic pundits and beat the Wallabies to move into a semifinal against France next Sunday morning in Paris, look no further than the scrums, rucks and mauls.
England's pack were outstanding, muscular, cohesive and far too good for Australia, who never got a foothold in the contest.
England's front row, man of the match loosehead prop Andrew Sheridan, tighthead and captain Phil Vickery and squat hooker Mark Regan, won't win any beauty contests, but they laid a perfect platform for England's victory.
Rolland, too, played his part, when after giving Australia the first four penalties of the match - including a couple when he thought England had offended by squashing Australia's scrum - he figured it out by changing sides.
Blind Pew could have worked out what was going on. One look at Dunning with a vertical meaty arm holding himself up told the Irishman, a former halfback, plenty.
"Scrum time is very difficult for referees," Vickery said diplomatically. "He's got two teams who want to scrummage, whether legal or illegal. He started off and wasn't quite sure but as the game wore on he realised our forwards were genuinely trying to scrummage."
England, who still look vulnerable to a good opponent who can move them smartly about the field, arrived at the breakdowns in numbers, and shoved Australia off the ball.
They were purposeful and unswerving in their dedication to a game plan which was basic but hugely effective.
With a strong lineout as their third plank, Simon Shaw being the key operator, and Jonny Wilkinson to steer them around the park, England were in business in the Stade Velodrome oven.
They had several chances to score tries but for all the resolve of their pack, a straightforward backline move still seems a fretful business.
Wilkinson kicked four goals from seven attempts on a tricky day for goalkickers with a swirling wind their nemesis, and one stirring tackle which stopped a flying Mortlock in his tracks spoke volumes for England's defensive intent.
Jason Robinson was sparky from the back, halfback Andy Gomarsall a calming influence and wing Paul Sackey seems to be improving by the game.
Both coach Brian Ashton and Vickery spoke glowingly of the courage of England. They had been hurt by their 36-0 loss to South Africa during pool play but knuckled down and now had their reward.
Vickery conceded tough games against Samoa and Tonga had prepared them for yesterday's physical battle.
"Fear of defeat has been there for three weeks. Samoa was a cup final for us; Tonga too, and now today," Vickery said.
"Take nothing away from Samoa and Tonga; I think people underestimated them before the tournament.
"I'd like to think they played a large part in today's performance. We were certainly ready for the physicality of this game."
And Australia? It was not the farewell Gregan and the injured Stephen Larkham had in mind, or coach John Connolly, who confirmed he's standing down.
They had no complaints, nor could they. If Stirling Mortlock had not pulled his late matchwinning penalty attempt wide, it would have been a travesty.
England weren't pretty but they are still in business, which is more than can be said for Australia or New Zealand. And what of facing France in the semifinal?
"If England can play to their strengths and be as effective at the breakdown as they were today, I feel they've got enough firepower out wide and will give anyone a shake," Mortlock said.
Yes, that includes France.
The one angry Englishman at Stade Velodrome yesterday was a fat, sunburnt, sweating man in his early 50s, who had a blazing row with French security police at a barrier.
"I hope the New Zealanders stick your World Cup up your ... "
His day was about to get worse.
But not for an England team who are a game away from defending their world title in the final. And few would have predicted that a fortnight ago.
