Manu Vatuvei breaks through the defence

The Kiwis raced to a 16-0 lead after just 25 minutes but had to fight off a determined English comeback before sealing the win.

England pulled back to within six points with less than 10 minutes to go before New Zealand flyhalf Benji Marshall scored in the 78th minute to decide the result.

Room to improve

New Zealand will now play the winner of Sunday's second semi-final between defending champions Australia and Fiji in Sydney.

"It's a wonderful achievement but I am disappointed with a few aspects of our game," New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney said.

"That's not going to be good enough next week.
 
"We don't need to be told what we are up against."

Centre Joe Ropati scored two tries for the Kiwis, one in each half, while wing Sam Perrett, fullback Lance Hohaia and second row Bronson Harrison crossed once each.

Flyhalf Danny McGuire notched a double for England while captain Jamie Peacock and centre Martin Gleeson both scored one each.

"Sport is brutal. There is no in the middle at this level," Peacock said.

"When you win it is fantastic, when you lose it's the worst ever - it kills you."

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