Tommy Makinson ran in a record-breaking five tries to leave rampant England fans believing maybe they could win the World Cup.
It’s the first time any player has scored so many tries in one game for the national side. St Helens flier Makinson - recalled for this quarter-final with Papua New Guinea at the expense of England record try-scorer Ryan Hall - fell just one short of Australian Valentine Holmes’ World Cup record of six.
Shaun Wane’s England side had eased through the group stages with routine wins against Samoa, France and Greece. But after Samoa’s no-show, Papua New Guinea - a famously physical and proud outfit who’d beaten Great Britain in 2019 - were supposed to give them their first real examination in Wigan.
Instead, it was England handing out the lesson with a ruthless display that left the Princess of Wales celebrating in the stands. Her Royal Highness was attending her first game since succeeding Prince Harry as the RFL’s patron last year.
After meeting the players before kick-off, she was joined in the main stand for the second half by Jodie Cunningham and Emily Rudge from the England women’s side who thrashed Canada 54-4 in the curtain-raiser.
England, who will face the winners of Sunday's game between Samoa and Tonga in the semi-final, were 26-0 up inside just 21 minutes. It was already game over.
In large, that was down to the immense performance of Tom Burgess. The South Sydney prop has been impressive this tournament but took his game to whole new levels here.
Burgess blasted holes in PNG’s defence with his first two surging carries and his third results in him barging over for England’s first try. The Kumuls are renowned for being a physical bunch but they just couldn’t handle the barrelling Yorkshireman.
It was no surprise everyone else followed his lead. Makinson got his first try after Sam Tomkins slid in an inviting grubber. And when Rodrick Tai was bullied into touch, George Williams lofted a chip that Tomkins patted back for Dom Young to eventually claim his ninth try of the World Cup.
In the next set, Makinson - who also added five goals - claimed his second try after rising high to collect Williams’ latest kick. John Bateman ripped up PNG in the middle before slick interplay from Tomkins and Kallum Watkins finished with Williams sliding between the posts.
Even when a rare pass went astray from Victor Radley, Young mopped it up and turned it into a try for Watkins. Makinson’s treble came in bizarre circumstances. PNG full-back Alex Johnston spilled Williams’ high kick behind his own goalline but referee Liam Moore somehow awarded a 20m restart.
Furious England players tried telling him the error and made a Captain's Challenge which proved the point -and showed that Makinson had also touched down the loose ball.
The Kumuls didn’t have a play-the-ball in England’s 20 until the 34th minute but it didn’t result in anything. Wane’s stingy side had only conceded five tries throughout their group campaign and were in no mood to start letting things slip here.
They did not run riot as much in the second period, Makinson having to wait until the 58th minute for his fourth following a strong burst from Mike McMeeken.
And Jimmy Ngutlik did finally get over for the Kumuls, Rhyse Martin converting, with 11 minutes remaining. But there was still time for Makinson to add his record effort in front of a crowd of 23,179.
Given the manner of England’s first half dominance and control, it is little wonder supporters may now believe they can go all the way. Clearly, sterner tests are still to come with holders Australia already booked into a semi-final against New Zealand or Fiji.
But England’s game at the Emirates Stadium next Saturday, versus either 2017 World Cup semi-final opponents Tonga or a Samoa side who have vastly improved in the last three weeks, will be fascinating either way.
