Dave Woods
BBC Rugby League correspondent

That's not silenced the crowd, but it's certainly quietened them - we're down to Grand Final volume levels at this stage, which gives you an idea of what a spectacle the sound was to begin with.

Justin Morgan
Former New Zealand assistant coach

That's 10 consecutive matches in which Jermaine McGillvary has scored for England and that was another example of smart football.

Gareth Widdop at full back is smart enough and experienced enough to see the pass to McGillvary, who's been one of the players of the tournament so far.

Luke Gale has sucked in the defenders to conserve the space on the right, too, and opened Tonga up.

Image source, Getty Images

Better from England!

Gareth Widdop's break from James Graham's pass gets England well upfield and the kick from Luke Gale is carried into touch by a Tonga player.

A good position - what can England make of it?

England's kicking has been a little below standard so far but a better effort from Josh Hodgson pins Tonga back by their own 20 metre line.

They make big metres though and Jermaine McGillvary collects a kick on his own line.

A reminder that holders Australia await the winners in the final next Saturday.

So close for England!

Luke Gale's high kick isn't the best but Jermaine McGillvary makes a stunning catch and attempts an ambitious offload, which almost picks out a white shirt.

Michael Jennings comes up with the ball but is quickly snaffled up before he can charge downfield.

McGillvary has scored a try in every game he's played in this World Cup and he looks in the mood again early in this semi-final.

The noise is incredible.

Image source, NRLPhotos

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A solid opening set for both sides. England kick on the last towards the try line, and Tonga show their offload game in reply.

Tonga are penalised for a push after a rather poor kick and England have a penalty 20 metres from their own line.

Tonga kick us off and the second semi-final of the 2017 World Cup is under way!

Jon Wilkin
Former England international on BBC One

Jermaine McGillvary is England's guy to chew metres, and Jason Taumalolo does that for Tonga. He's got strength, is a balanced runner and gets them rolling forward.

The best way to control him is to damage his energy: if England keep the ball and are ruthless, he'll be less effective. But 60% effective is still dangerous!

Image source, Getty Images

Tonga have just performed their pre-match challenge on the field, just adding to the spectacle.

The England boys, standing shoulder to shoulder, look very focused. I'd be scared stiff at this point.

Kick-off is nearly upon us.

Image source, Getty Images

Brian Noble
Ex-Great Britain coach on BBC Two

In games like this, there's a risk that emotions can boil over. England have to separate themselves from that. It's all about performance and looking after the ball for me. I'll be happy if England launch it long for their first six or seven sets while they settle into the game.

Sean O'Loughlin, Luke Gale and Gareth Widdop give England a very solid spine - but they have to keep hold of the ball. Otherwise, the game could become a lot tougher than it needs to be.

Image source, Getty Images

I really can't emphasise enough how special a scene it is in Auckland. It's a sea of red and England supporters are heavily outnumbered.

And so to the line-ups - England had a fitness concern over Kevin Brown but he has passed the required concussion tests and is free to play in the semi-final.

Tonga: Hopoate; Tupou, Jennings, Hurrell, Fusitu'a; Lolohea, Hingano; Fifita, Havili, Taukeiaho, Ma'u, Manu, Taumalolo.

Replacements: Katoa, Terepo, Tangai Jr, Murdoch-Masila. Reserve bench: Moa, Vatuvei.

England: Widdop; McGillvary, Watkins, Bateman, Hall; Brown, Gale; Hill, Hodgson, Graham, S. Burgess, Whitehead, O'Loughlin.

Replacements: Walmsley, T. Burgess, Currie, Roby. Reserve bench: Lomax, Heighington.

England coach Wayne Bennett: "We need to try to maintain consistency a little bit.

"We are going to have to tackle, put bodies in front, be committed.

"Luke Gale is getting better each game, Kevin Brown is quite a handy player – we are looking for some shape and football from those guys.

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf: "Our supporters never cease to amaze us – they are passionate and outsanding. Our defence needs to be better than last week."

The two teams are out and, my word, what an atmosphere.

Before we get going, it's the national anthems.

Image source, Getty Images

Jon Wilkin
Former England international on BBC One

Image source, Getty Images

You have to build up in these tournaments to play your best rugby over the next couple of weeks. Wayne Bennett has named an unchanged side today and that will allow him to keep the spine together to do that.

Australia, who are in the final, have players who are used to playing with each other, and the more time and traction the England players have together, the better. The team have been in pressurised situations over the last few weeks - all that travelling can be uncomfortable without your family. You can learn a lot about each other during that time.

A big game like this could be won in the last few seconds. England will have learned lessons from 2013 and they'll have to apply them today.

If you're just joining me, I hope the early-morning alarm call wasn't too painful for you!

The two teams are just about to head out onto the field in Auckland and we're just a few minutes away from kick-off.

Which country will be facing Australia in next Saturday's World Cup final in Brisbane?

Jon Wilkin
Former England international on BBC One

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

When you get a stadium that's full like this, it does inspire emotion - it becomes about emotion versus performance. That will lift Tonga, but the bottom line is they have to perform.

The crowds in England are noisy - the games of rugby league in England are as noisy as anything, so the players are conditioned to dealing with loud crowds.

I think the difference for England is they have players in the middle of the park who are really subtle with the skill. They can release each other at the right time. Jermaine McGillvary and Sean O'Loughlin will be really potent on the right edge.

Roy Burgess: How come my fast asleep brain knew the exact moment that the tv coverage of the #RLWC17, external semi final started? Now wide awake in our hotel room with the volume low, trying not to wake Mrs. B. Going to be a long drive home later! #bbcrl, external