Australia have been down under for much of the last 13 months but they gloriously sprang to life in their 42-37 Autumn Series win over England at Twickenham last night .
A splendidly created try on the back of patience, skill, dash and dare for replacement back Max Jorgensen earned them their first win at Twickenham since they dumped England from the 2015 Rugby World Cup in the pool stages.
It was England’s fourth straight defeat to Antipodean opposition this year, and next week they face the Rugby World Cup champion Springboks with much to fix.
The Springboks would have taken note of what got England going, how they engineered their fightback, but also how the Red Roses’s petals again blew as the referee bulged his cheeks for the last time.
England’s poor game management and lack of composure again cost them victory. They will ruefully reflect on the fact that this was their highest points tally without tasting victory at Twickenham. But they’re leaking points as they’re yet to master rushing out in defence.
When you adopt a rush defence, the collective needs to operate in sync as slip-ups are hard to rectify. England weren’t always on the same wavelength and Australia, with their deft off-loaders, took advantage. By the 50th minute England had missed 30 tackles.
As if they needed reminding, the Boks would have taken note that England flyhalf Marcus Smith remains a menace. His energy and urgency almost singlehandedly dragged England back into the game in the 57th minute when his blindside dart and delicate grubber led to a try for replacement Ollie Sleightholme.
His ability to create and impact proceedings often elevates England from the ordinary. Last weekend he was substituted and it stung England as George Ford misfired off the kicking tee.
Last night’s clash was frenetic and it exacted a physical toll. Some Springbok supporters will lament the fact that England flank Tom Curry looks unlikely to play against the World Cup winners next weekend. He was knocked out when he made a poor attempt to tackle the highly-charged Rob Valetini.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will be mightily relieved his team, who were bottom of the Rugby Championship, won a high-tempo affair that carried many twists and turns.
Flank Valetini and prop Angus Bell made the hard yards as the Wallabies overcame a passive start, while exceptionally gifted centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, fullback Tom Wright and replacement scrumhalf Tate McDermott helped the visitors shoot into an unlikely halftime lead.
Australia made the first score in the second half when lock Jeremy Williams dotted down, before Noah Lolesio added a penalty. They were in the ascendancy but Smith sparked England’s revival — scooting through a gap from a quick throw-in to help set up Sleightholme’s second try with 14 minutes to go.
Andrew Kellaway scored what appeared to be the match-winning try for the Wallabies in the 75th minute before lock Maro Itoje did the same for England three minutes later.
The Wallabies, however, showed great composure to fashion the match-winning try to perfectly launch their Grand Slam tour — which is supposed to provide an appetiser before next year’s visit of the British & Irish Lions. On this evidence, fans are in for a feast.
Scorers
England (18) 37 - Tries: Chandler Cunningham-South (2), Ollie Sleightholme (2), Maro Itoje. Conversions: Marcus Smith (3). Penalties: Smith (2).
Australia (20) 42 - Tries: Tom Wright, Harry Wilson, Jeremy Williams, Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen. Conversions: Noah Lolesio (2), Ben Donaldson (2). Penalties: Lolesio (3).
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