England beat New Zealand and Australia beat France to put themselves into the finals of the 2009 Four Nations.

England put on their best show as they withstood Kiwi pressure but held out to win. England led 18-6 at the break and looked well set to proceed, but New Zealand came back at them in the second period eventually falling short as we reached the final score of:

England 20-12 New Zealand

Scorers

England
Tries: Eastmond, Fox (2) Goals: Sinfield (4)

New Zealand
Tries: Goodwin, Matulino Goals: Goodwin (2)

Teams

England: S Briscoe, Fox, Bridge, Shenton, Hall; Tomkins, Eastmond; Morley, Sinfield, Graham; Peacock (capt), Ellis, Burgess.
Replacements: Crabtree, Westwood, Roby, Wilkin

New Zealand: Hohaia, Perrett, Foran, Sau, Goodwin; Marshall (capt), Fien Nuuausala, Leuluai, Moimoi, Soliola, Pritchard, Blair.
Replacements: Lima, Luke, Waerea-Hargreaves, Matulino.

Attendance: 19,390

Referee: Thierry Alibert (France)

Australia took quite some time to break down the French defence, but evenatually won through convincingly. Leading by just 8-0 at the break, they went on to the fianls score of:

France 4-42 Australia

Scorers

France
Tries: Elima

Australia
Tries: Jennings (3), Lewis, B Morris (2), J Morris (2)
Goals: Gidley (2), Thurston (3)
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Teams

France: Greenshields (Catalans); Duport (Catalans), Sadaoui (Carcassonne), Raguin (Catalans), Pelo (Catalans); Bosc (Catalans), Wynne (Lezignan); Ferriol (Catalans), K Bentley (Catalans), Shead (Limoux), Elima (Catalans, capt), Touxagas (Catalans), A Bentley (UTC).
Replacements: Moly (Carcassonne), Gagliazzo (Carcassone), Martins (Catalans), Griffi (Toulouse).

Australia: Gidley (Newcastle); B Morris (St George Illawarra), J Morris (Canterbury), Jennings (Penrith), Hayne (Parramatta); Lockyer (Brisbane, capt), Thurston (North Queensland); Civoniceva (Penrith), Farah (Wests Tigers), Hannant (Canterbury), Waterhouse (Penrith), Hoffman (Melbourne), Hindmarsh (Parramatta).
Replacements: Cronk (Melbourne), Lewis (Penrith), Shillington (Canberra), Thaiday (Brisbane).

Attendance: 6,234

Referee: Leon Williamson (New Zealand)