Image source, Getty

For all the talk of pre-match mind games in the end, Eddie Jones and Steve Hansen's provided more platitudes than pyrotechnics.

Jones floated and deflated a theory about a spy watching England training from a nearby tower block. He claimed pressure would be "chasing New Zealand down the street", something that Steve Hansen was happy to admit.

The best line in the end came from Courtney Lawes.

Back in 2014, New Zealand opposite number Brodie Retallick mistakenly referred to Lawes as 'Michael Laws' - the name of a Kiwi politician.

James Haskell, writing in the Daily Mail this week, revealed that slip of the tongue infuriated the England camp at the time.

"If I'd come out and talked about 'Colin Retallick' then the Kiwis would have been trotting out the 'arrogant English' line," Haskell wrote.

It sounds like it has not quite been put to bed by Lawes either.

"If they don't know my name, they will tomorrow," he said on Friday. Touche.

Image source, Getty Images

A quick word association game: England v New Zealand in a Rugby World Cup semi-final. Go!

You are not human if you are not coming up with three four-letter words.

Lomu. Catt. And one that you can't type in an early morning live text.

Jonah Lomu was a 20-year-old, six foot five inch, 18-stone phenomenom.

He scored four tries in a sensational 45-29 victory for the All Blacks.

England hooker Brian Moore memorably suggested that the only way to stop him was an "elephant gun".

What a player.

Becky Grey
BBC Sport at International Stadium Yokohama

I've been asking fans for their matchday superstitions for the BBC Sport Instagram story and these guys provided the most impressive.

They have kept the red and white jesters hat for 16 years waiting for this World Cup. It was worn when they watched England beat Australia in the 2003 final, so they're hoping it brings good luck today.

Image source, BBC Sport

Martyn Williams
Former Wales captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

Underhill has been phenomenal. Himself and Curry, two young players on the biggest stage, have been so impressive. That balance in the back row has worked for England - but this is the biggest test for those flankers.

Physically they're fine, they'll cope with the intensity. We've seen how good they can be when big men run at them but they have to pick and choose the contact areas and slow New Zealand down. They've got a big role today.

Image source, Getty Images

Where will the match be won and lost?

Former England fly-half Paul Grayson has run the rule over the two sides and had his say.

"Picking Scott Barrett, a lock, at blind-side flanker is a huge call from Hansen - and a brilliant one potentially," he says ominiously.

Martyn Williams
Former Wales captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty

Both teams are coming in to this in such a good place. These two looked so impressive last weekend in their respective quarter-finals. It's such a big match-up. My head says New Zealand, they're the number one team in the world.

There are two teams in this tournament who can beat New Zealand on their day - England and South Africa. If England play to their potential there's no doubt they can win this game - but it would have to be their best performance, their most complete performance, under Eddie Jones.

Becky Grey
BBC Sport at International Stadium Yokohama

There is a lot going on outside the stadium to keep fans amused until kick-off.

A band called 'Speed of Lights' played the most rocky version of World in Union I've ever heard.

Image source, BBC Sport

You can get a flag painted on your face for free.

Image source, BBC Sport

Have a go at some Japanese calligraphy.

Image source, BBC Sport

Plenty of people were queueing for a photo with the mascots

Image source, BBC Sport

Or you could just stand and contemplate the view, with Mount Fuji in the distance on the left.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

"Hold the cups and glasses at home. You can smash them now! David Beckham has scored for England!"

John Motson, seemingly unable to get over the novelty of a significant time difference, referenced the breakfast crockery in his commentary at the football World Cup in Japan back in 2002.

Who am I to go against the sheepskin don?

Let's have a look at what you are washing this titanic rugby match down with this morning.

Massive fry-up? Sportsman's egg white and protein shake? Too nervous to contemplate anything more than a brew?

Let us know via #bbcrugby, external on Twitter or 81111 on text

Becky Grey
BBC Sport at International Stadium Yokohama

It's not just England and New Zealand fans here today.

There is a healthy showing of Australian and South African fans too. This group of friends from Portugal have got shirts from all over the world and personalised them Japanese-style.

Image source, BBC Sport

I also met a big fan of New Zealand forward Ardie Savea and his goggles.

Image source, BBC Sport

And, as expected, the hosts are mostly getting behind the All Blacks for this one. These two from Chiba, near Tokyo, did have a bit of an excuse though. They went on a trip to New Zealand recently.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Scott Barrett's selection gives the All Blacks four bona-fide line-out jumping options alongside Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read.

Is this Steve Hansen's attempt to ram-raid the England line-out once again?

In November's 16-15 win at Twickenham, when Scott Barrett came on on the flank in the 50th minute, New Zealand stole five of England's 15 line-outs.

But might that have had more to do with the man in the middle rather than the man coming off the pine?

The Times got Ben Kay, the man who masterminded England's line-out in 2003, to look through last autumn's match again.

He reckoned that only two were legitimate steals, Jamie George was wrongly penalised for dummying the throw on another and England should have been awarded penalties themselves on the remaining two. Jerome Garces was on the whistle that day. Nigel Owens has got the gig today.

Image source, Getty Images

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen sprung a surprise in his own selection, dropping flanker Sam Cane to the bench and picking Scott Barrett in the back row.

It will be the first time Barrett, who is normally a lock, starts a Test in the back row.

Older brother Beauden is again at full-back with Richie Mo'unga continuing at fly-half.

Codie Taylor continues to keep out Dane Coles at hooker, while Sonny Bill Williams is on the bench with Jack Goodhue and Anton Lienert-Brown in midfield.

New Zealand: B Barrett; Reece, Goodhue, Lienert-Brown, Bridge; Mo'unga, Smith; Moody, Taylor, Laulala, Retallick, Whitelock, Barrett, Savea, Read (capt).

Replacements: Coles, Tuungafasi, Ta'avao, Tuipulotu, Cane, Perenara, Williams, J Barrett.

Image source, Getty

England have recalled George Ford at fly-half, with captain Owen Farrell shifting to inside centre.

Coach Eddie Jones had dropped Ford to the bench for the quarter-final win over Australia.

But for England's biggest game in 12 years he has reunited the 10-12 combination that saw England past Tonga, USA and Argentina in the group stages.

Henry Slade makes way in the backs with Manu Tuilagi moving to outside centre in his place, while winger Jonny May has been declared fit after an injury scare against the Wallabies last weekend. Courtney Lawes keeps his place in the starting XV ahead of George Kruis.

England: Daly; Watson, Tuilagi, Farrell (capt), May; Ford, Youngs; M Vunipola, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Lawes, Curry, Underhill, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Marler, Cole, Kruis, Wilson, Heinz, Slade, Joseph.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Every single match of this Rugby World Cup has been on BBC Radio 5 Live or BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.

We sure aren't changing that now.

Live build-up is already under way. Tune in at the top of this page of this page or via the BBC Sounds or BBC Sport app.

Paul Grayson
Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

This has felt like Christmas day. I woke up at 6am and it was like I couldn't go downstairs and open my presents yet. It's been the longest day of our lives!

Image source, Getty

Remember those distant early stages of the tournament when sweat had turned the rugby ball into a greased lemon pip?

Well, for northern hemisphere players at least, Friday brought heavy rain in Tokyo and some more traditional conditions into play.

The International Stadium in Yokohama looked like it was holding up alright on a dry Saturday, but one to keep an eye on as the game progresses.

Certainly we are not at the levels seen at King's Park before 1995 semi-final between South Africa and France...

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex

Becky Grey
BBC Sport at International Stadium Yokohama

The prospect of England taking on New Zealand in a World Cup semi-final has drawn fans from far and wide.

This is England fan Dave and Ireland fan Anna. They flew from Sydney on Friday night and will be taking the nine-hour flight back on Sunday because they managed to get hold of tickets for today's game.

A lot of travelling for 80 minutes of rugby, but who would want to miss this match?

Image source, Dave Lewis

Image source, Dave Lewis

Image source, Getty

North v south.

Black v white.

The biggest rugby-playing nation on earth, external against the best.

It is a match of stark contrasts and staggering scale.

England v New Zealand for a place in the Rugby World Cup final is an hour away.

Shallow breathing everyone...