Arneb wrote:That seems to have been quite the surprise!
New Zealand were ranked #1 in the world before this match, but England were #2. We’ll see what the new rankings are on Monday.
But, New Zealand have been in the semi-finals eight times, and won four times. On three of those occasions, they went on to win the final. In the four cases where they lost a semi-final, they won third place twice, and settled for fourth place once; we’ll know next week what the outcome is this year. So New Zealand have made the semi-finals every year but 2007, and have a 4-4 record in the semi-finals.
England have made the semi-finals five times, and won four times. The one time they lost, they also lost the bronze final, coming in fourth. When they have won the semi-final, they also won the final once, but lost and came in second twice. We don’t know yet what the outcome of the final is this year. So although England failed to reach the semi-finals in 1987, 1999, 2011, and 2015, they have a 4-1 record in the semi-finals.
So although New Zealand have a better track record getting to the semi-finals, England have a better record (on a percentage basis) winning them
The two teams have met 42 times; New Zealand have won 33 times, and England 8 times, with one draw. In a “neutral venue”, they are 1-1. This is the first time England have defeated New Zealand in any World Cup match. They’ve met twice in the pool stage, and twice in the semi-finals.
So I would have guessed New Zealand, but it’s not completely crazy that England won. England have been pretty good the last few years.
Only five teams have ever won the semi-finals: New Zealand, Australia, and England four times each, France three times, and South Africa twice. Of these, France is the only team never to win a final, and South Africa is the only team never to lose one. Of the eight previous finals, six of them were France or England against one of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The other two were between New Zealand and South Africa, and between New Zealand and Australia.
If South Africa win later today, the final will be between England and South Africa, which has happened before, and in any event, fits the typical pattern of a northern team (England or France) against a southern team (Australia or New Zealand or South Africa). But if Wales win, not only will they reach the final for the first time ever, but also for the first time ever, the final will be between two northern teams.