England will play Australia in the Four Nations final after beating world champion New Zealand 20-12 on Saturday.
Winger Peter Fox marked his England recall with two crucial tries just before halftime at the Galpharm Stadium.
Kyle Eastmond's 10th-minute try and Kevin Sinfield's conversion gave England a 6-0 lead, but the Kiwis struck back through left winger Bryson Goodwin's try.
Bryce Goodwin missed the conversion but leveled the scores with a 30th-minute penalty, and it was still even until Fox's decisive intervention.
His first try came courtesy of stand off Sam Tomkins, whose lofted kick to the corner bounced over the head of Goodwin and into the arms of Fox.
Just 80 seconds remained of the first half when Fox struck again, taking Chris Bridge's pass after England caught the New Zealand defensive line out of alignment from a scrum.
Sinfield added both conversions to give England a 12-point cushion, but it was halved within two minutes of the second half when the New Zealand back rower Ben Matulino took a return pass from center Junior Sau to touch down.
But Sinfield scored a late penalty for England after the Kiwis were punished for holding the ball down under their own posts.
