Wise words inspire hosts to find their devastating side

The England winger produced another trademark classy finish to cross in the 49th minute against Fiji and effectively settle a game they eventually won 34-12.

However, bizarrely, the touch judge initially over-ruled it saying the Leeds Rhinos player had placed a foot on the whitewash in the process.

It was only after an intervention from an England colleague that referee Ben Cummins decided to have a further look.

“Thankfully, Sam Burgess jumped in and told him to go to the video referee,” explained Hall.

“I’d let it ride a bit but I was upset with the decision. I thought I’d scored it to be honest. I did see a bit of a dint in the whitewash but obviously that wasn’t me.

“It was worth Sam having a word in the end.”

It had been Burgess who helped turn around a game that had been level 6-6 at half-time.

The South Sydney forward regathered Kevin Sinfield’s short kick-off after Fiji let it bounce and then scored after just 24 seconds.

From there, England never looked back.

“We came out and did what the coach said – be more direct and play at them a little bit,” said Hall.

“We did that and Sam went over within the first three touches of the second half.

“He went straight at them to go over. There were some wise words said at half-time and that showed on the field.”

Vibrant England rocked Fiji with five quickfire tries on Saturday, Hall getting his second – and sixth of the tournament – in the 55th minute to establish an impressive 34-6 lead.

It was a devastating spell of football which hinted at what this England team can achieve.

“All the bits of the jigsaw are there,” said Hall, who extended his record as England’s highest try-scorer to 19 in just 18 games.

“We just need to put it together when it matters which is the quarters and semi-final now.

“Fiji played well. In that first half, they defended like they were in a World Cup tie and wanted to win. That’s what it came down to.

“Maybe we coughed up loose ball and gave penalties away when they were on their tryline so that got them out of yardage a little bit.

“But that’s part of the game and they deserved to be level at half-time.

“They are a great side, a lot of their players play in NRL and that’s a strong competition.

“They play France or Samoa next in the quarters and we play the other.

“Whoever it is we have to be on top form.”

Ex-Bradford Bulls prop Burgess returned from suspension to deliver a man-of-the-match display.

“It was nice to be back in the team and I enjoyed it out there,” he said.

“We got a bit of a bounce of the ball at the start of the second half and I managed to sneak over.

“But I was really proud of the team. I thought everyone really came out in that second half and were very clinical in what we had to do.

“We played a lot smarter and a bit more calmer.”

It was an emotional occasion, too, after the players were told before kick-off about the death of ex-Hull FC and England full-back Steve Prescott at just 39 following his long battle with cancer.

Burgess added: “Today had lot of different meanings for us.

“We were representing a lot of people.

“The boys knew about Steve and with it being Remembrance Day too it was great to put on the jersey for the guys.”