So for all the excitement and surprises along the way we have reached the predicable denouement of the Rugby League World Cup – a semi-final line-up of Australia, England and New Zealand plus one other in Fiji.

That is not to criticise what has gone before because there were games I wouldn’t have missed for the world – New Zealand’s thunderous showdown with Samoa in Warrington is the one that comes instantly to mind.

But I suppose you have to be careful what you wish for because had there been a quarter-final shock for any of the ‘big three’ then it would have been England who would have been missing from Saturday’s double-header at Wembley.

Arguably England’s best display of the World Cup so far came in their opening game against Australia in Cardiff, and in truth at 28-20 the margin of defeat perhaps pointed more to the Kangaroos’ rustiness than England’s prowess over 80 minutes.

And it is the production of a top performance from first minute to last that is painfully eluding England going into their clash with New Zealand.

At times against France and Fiji they have gelled, but even against Ireland Steve McNamara’s side went off the boil.

In contrast they face the holders who have been brutal at times in the tournament, and the Kiwis hardly need a Haka to press home their psychological advantage going into this game.

However, whichever team comes out on top, it will be the Aussies who lie in wait and, if you can nonchalantly replace an injured Billy Slater with the awesome Greg Inglis, then you probably haven’t a lot to worry about.