England went into the tie with high hopes after a 60-6 win over the same opposition in the tournament’s opening game, but Samoa were the better team in a pulsating clash.
The hosts wiped out an eight-point deficit in the final quarter to send the game into sudden-death, only for Stephen Crichton’s drop goal to book Samoa’s passage into the final to face holders Australia at Old Trafford next Saturday.
There were some good individual performances, but as a team England fell sort when it really mattered. Here’s how the players rated.
There were some good individual performances, but as a team England fell sort when it really mattered. Here’s how the players rated.
![Played well, set up three tries, including with a lovely break for Farnworth's second 8.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjRlOWIyZTM3LWRhMzUtNDU4MC1iOThkLWM5ODI0ODEyM2Q2NDo3NTg4ZTIwZC01NjVkLTRhODEtODZiYy0yMWFmNjg4YTdlY2I=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
7. George Williams (No 7)
Played well, set up three tries, including with a lovely break for Farnworth's second 8.Photo: Will Palmer/SWpix.com
![Victim of a dangerous tackle which led to Junior Paulo's sin-binning, needed more minutes 6.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjJkMjBkZDM0LTdjNDctNDZhYi05OTJiLTI1YjUyOWMxOGRjMDo3YjVmNjk5ZS01NTM4LTRkOTUtYjg2YS1mYTg1Y2E3Y2M2M2U=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
8. Tom Burgess (No 8)
Victim of a dangerous tackle which led to Junior Paulo's sin-binning, needed more minutes 6.Photo: Will Palmer/SWpix.com
![Made no impact 4.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjg1MWNmMDc5LThlZTEtNGUzMC04YzQ4LTQ4YTQ4YTk0M2U1NjoxYmJhMzViNi04MjA0LTRlNzAtOWRmNC1mY2FlNjBiZGFkNWE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
![Had a dig, though the pack were second-best 7.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmU0NDkxMDY5LTIyZTUtNDE1MC1hZGI2LWEyYzc1OWFjNzczODpjNDFhNmE4NC0wOGJlLTRlZDctODEyYS04OWFkOGU2ZjE1MTg=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
10. Chris Hill (No 18)
Had a dig, though the pack were second-best 7.Photo: Will Palmer/SWpix.com
![Maybe lacked some composure on the final play of the 80, but scored a try, charged down a drop goal attempt and was good throughout 8.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjJmY2E0NGY5LTc3YzktNDRjYi1hNWFhLTExNjU1ODYxODBjZTpkZDc0ZmRlYi04N2UyLTQ4NmMtOTE3Mi0yMTg0YTYwYTliN2I=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
11. Elliott Whitehead (No 11)
Maybe lacked some composure on the final play of the 80, but scored a try, charged down a drop goal attempt and was good throughout 8.Photo: Will Palmer/SWpix.com
![Strong, reacted well for his try and made at least one crucial tackle 7.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjVlMjZkMTY0LWQ5MjktNDFhNi04ZWFmLTFkOWVjZGExZWYwODo5ZmVkNzA1OS0wZGRhLTRhYTUtYWIyNy1iOTIxYmY3ODQ4MDk=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
12. John Bateman (No 12)
Strong, reacted well for his try and made at least one crucial tackle 7.Photo: Will Palmer/SWpix.com