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Wilkinson honest in victory

Tonga Trumped: Wilkinson shapes to kick at goal

England star Jonny Wilkinson lauded Tonga after his side sent the islanders home on the back of a 36-20 win in Paris on Friday.

But he admitted that the reigning World Cup champions are still not firing on all cylinders.

England set up a quarter-final clash with arch-enemies Australia in Marseille next Saturday after toppling the islanders at Parc des Princes.

Australia beat England in the 1991 final at Twickenham, but their title defence was ended by Will Carling and company in 1995; then England memorably toppled the Wallabies in Sydney to be crowned champions in 2003.

Current form suggests Australia will start as favourites, although the absence of their injured playmaker Stephen Larkham could level up the contest.

But Friday's Pool A eliminator went England's way thanks to a try double from Wasps wing Paul Sackey before centre Mathew Tait claimed a 57th-minute clincher.

Wilkinson kicked 16 points, taking him to 955 for England, as the holders of the Webb Ellis Trophy wiped out an early 10-3 deficit.

Andy Farrell, on as a second-half replacement for the unconvincing Olly Barkley, claimed his first touchdown in England colours, pressing a strong case for inclusion against the Wallabies.

England qualified as group runners-up behind South Africa, adding a bonus point, and the Wallabies await them at Stade Vélodrome.

"We needed to hang in there and do the basics right," said Wilkinson.

"It was a tough night, and we were chasing shadows. At times, just like Samoa, it was very close and could have gone either way.

"But we showed some fitness and some strength and we were much stronger at the end.

"If you had said this morning 'you could have a win' I would have taken it. To win by a few points is satisfying - but we have a fair way to go."

But Sackey believes England sent out a message to their World Cup rivals with the four-try effort in Paris.

"If we get our performance right on the day we can cause a problem," he said.

"We soaked up their pressure and got a good result.

"The decision-making between ten, nine and twelve was spot on today; we played our territory game and kept competing."

Of the looming clash with the Wallabies, he simply added: "We'll think about that next week."

England coach Brian Ashton paid tribute to Sackey, who scored his second successive tournament brace.

"It is great to see Paul Sackey bring his game on to the international stage," he said.

"He is a hell of a lot stronger than he looks, and he had a pretty good all-round game.

"But I am delighted for all the players. It was a knockout game - whoever won, went through.

"We knew there were times in the game when we were under pressure - and we know we are going to have to improve against Australia.

"Two weeks ago, according to a lot of people, we were down and out in the tournament. But we are through to the knockout stages.

"When you get to the knockout stages, it is a two-horse race. On any one day, any one team could probably beat any other side.

"We are not going to get carried away. We are still not playing to our potential - and we know we will have to go up a gear at least next Saturday."

England stand-in captain Martin Corry also acknowledged that his side is still not quite up to scratch, but believes that the best is yet to come.

"We are a developing side, and we have now got two successive wins - but we know we have to improve even more," he said.

"We are still playing below our potential, but there is also an element of we don't know how good we can be.

"We have got to keep on improving. From where we were two weeks ago, we have improved dramatically - and we have still got to make drastic improvements.

"As a team, we've all been under the cosh. But it has delighted me how we have put our heads down, although we know we are not the finished article."