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PARIS - England coach Brian Ashton praised the character of his side after they beat Tonga 36-20 here on Saturday (NZ time) to book a World Cup quarter-final next weekend against Australia.
But Ashton said the reigning champions would have to go up a level against the Wallabies, in what will be a repeat of the 2003 final, if they were to advance to the last four.
"I'm delighted for players the game was won," Ashton said after a match England had to win to avoid becoming the first title-holder to be knocked out at the group stage.
"We know we didn't put in a perfect performance and will have to improve against Australia. But two weeks ago some people said we were down and out."
England, thrashed 36-0 by South Africa a fortnight ago - their record defeat in a World Cup match, saw off a spirited Tonga side by four tries to two with wing Paul Sackey touching down twice for the second time in as many matches after his double during last Sunday's 44-22 victory over Samoa.
Mathew Tait also crossed the Tongans' line heading into the final quarter before replacement back Andy Farrell scored his first England try.
Meanwhile, first-five Jonny Wilkinson's 16-point haul left him five short of Scotland great Gavin Hastings's World Cup record of 227.
But Tonga gave England a scare when centre Sukanaivalu Hufanga scored the game's first try in the 17th minute before flanker Hale T Pole got the game's final try in the closing seconds.
"We are not going to get carried away, we know we are not playing to our full potential but moving slowly along the way to getting there. We know we are going to have up a level, at least, against Australia," Ashton added ahead of the October 7 clash in Marseille.
Tonga, who upset the formbook by beating Samoa 19-15 before only losing by five points to South Africa last weekend, were well worth their opening try at the Parc des Princes.
England captain Martin Corry said: "When we conceded the first try, we all knew what the Tongans were capable of. But when they did score we still stuck to our disciplined game plan."
Ashton added Sackey's finishing prowess was no surprise to him. "It's great to see him bring that onto international stage. It's not just when he is put into the clear, he did a lot of work in heavy traffic."
Corry backed that up by saying: "We were under the cosh and had to weather a storm. It's very special when you have a finisher who can get an opportunity and take it."
Looking ahead, the blindside flanker said: "We are a developing side. We know we have to improve more. We don't know how good we can be.
- AFP
