England are through to the World Cup semi-finals after blasting Papua New Guinea away 46-6 at Wigan.
Tommy Makinson grabbed five tries in the impressive, one-sided victory in heavy rain at the DW Stadium.
The Kumuls were completely out-classed, and bullied by an England team full of confidence and aggression that started like a house on fire.
The hosts will now play either Tonga or Samoa in the semi-final in London.
An error from Papua New Guinea on their try-line gave England an early chance in the 5th minute.
And they didn’t waste it, Tom Burgess powering over from short range.
Makinson added the extras from right in front, and the hosts had an early 6-0 lead.
Barely three minutes later, they were in again, Makinson diving on a perfect Sam Tomkins grubber.
The winger couldn’t convert from the sidelines, leaving the score at 10-0.
The Kumuls were getting monstered in both attack and defence.
In the 15th minute, England’s third try came after a Sam Tomkins kick was batted back, and the pass went wide to Dom Young.
Makinson missed the kick, so it remained 14-0.
England were in a fearsome mood, the next try coming to Makinson after a great leap and take from a George Williams bomb.
The winger’s conversion was successful, extending the dominant lead to 20-0.
But the hosts just kept on scoring, with the next four-pointer set up through the middle by Sam Tomkins, who found Kallum Watkins in support and then Williams for the try.
Makinson added the extras, and his team were in complete control at 26-0.
That could do nothing wrong, Young finding Watkins on the inside for another try.
It was England’s sixth after just 23 minutes, a devastating opening spell.
Makinson’s kick was good from the sideline to make it 32-0.
It got worse for Papua New Guinea when Nene Macdonald limped off before a captain’s challenge ended with Makinson’s third of the afternoon.
The winger nailed his kick to extend the lead to 38-0.
The Kumuls finally had some field position near the end of the first half, but England defended well.
At the break, it was a mountain to climb for Papua New Guinea.
In the second half, the Kumuls managed to stem the flood of tries.
Ball handling for both teams in the rain was a problem, and Papua New Guinea stepped up their defensive pressure.
England, with a completely unassailable lead, were content to cruise.
In the 62nd minute, they scored another try, a quick shift to the left coming to Makinson to cross.
The winger hooked his conversion attempt from the sideline.
With 11 minutes left, the Kumuls finally got on the scoreline when Jimmy Ngutlik dived on an Alex Johnston grubber kick.
But it mattered little as there was still time for Makinson to grab his fifth try as England progressed to the last four in eye-catching fashion.
England 46
Tries: T. Burgess (6), T. Makinson (9), D. Young (15), T. Makinson (18), G. Williams (21), K. Watkins (24), T. Makinson (27), T. Makinson (58), T. Makinson (75)
Goals: T. Makinson (7), T. Makinson (20), T. Makinson (22), T. Makinson (26), T. Makinson (28)
Papua New Guinea 6
Tries: J. Ngutlik (70)
Goals: R. Martin (71)
