Australia v England LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as England win deciding Test
Follow live updates as England beat Australia in a huge series decider at the Sydney Cricket Ground
England outwitted and outfought an error-prone Australia 21-17 to win their July series 2-, a second success for northern hemisphere rugby after Ireland’s earlier triumph over the All Blacks.
Young guns Freddie Steward and Marcus Smith scored the tries and England’s streetwise pack bossed the breakdown as coach Eddie Jones masterminded a second series victory over his own country after their 3-0 sweep in 2016.
Australia scored tries through Tom Wright and Folau Fainga’a in front of a sellout crowd of 43,274 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, but the home side’s accuracy deserted them too frequently at crucial moments.
Australia won the opening test 30-28 in Perth but England struck back with a 25-17 victory in Brisbane to take the series to Saturday’s decider.
Follow live reaction from the Australia vs England series decider below:
Australia 0-0 England, 14 minutes
Another suspiciously flat Australian pass goes unnoticed as the Wallabies begin to fizz in attack, first Samu Kerevi and then Rob Valetini over the gainline.
But that’s excellent from Jamie George, eyes up to pluck Dave Porecki’s pivoting pass out of the hands of Noah Lolesio and end Australia’s chances of exploring a right-ward overlap.
England kick long, and Tom Wright watches it carefully over his own line, just about remembering to dot it down before England can steal in.
Australia 0-0 England, 12 minutes
England are having joy at the scrum, though - this time a full penalty as it goes to ground.
Jamie George’s lineout dart hits the mark, too, but England soon fumble. Michael Hooper cleverly snatches Danny Care’s arm as the scrum-half tries to pass on halfway.
Australia have dominated territory so far - more than 80% of the game has so far been played in England’s half, though it remains scoreless.
Australia 0-0 England, 10 minutes
Australia nearly open England up again! They attack a big blindside, this time an inside ball to Taniela Tupou a nifty variation, even if the pass to the prop appears forward.
It matters not, though, for Tupou’s pass is knocked on. You’d suggest the officials would have called that back had the Wallabies converted but it’s another moment of worry for the Anthony Seibold-drilled English defensive unit.
Australia 0-0 England, 9 minutes
Our first bit of niggle, and it’s two predictable instigators - though that is unfair on Nic White, who has done nothing except be clung on to on the floor by his old Exeter mate Jonny Hill. Hill is penalised and given a stern word by Paul Williams, who appears keen to set the tone.
Australia 0-0 England, 8 minutes
Australia really have had no injury luck in this series, and James Slipper stays down in discomfort after charging into Courtney Lawes as the England captain wrestled Billy Vunipola forward. Slipper briefly appears to be readying himself for an early departure, and Angus Bell strips off, but the starting loosehead will continue for now. England might be keen to test that sore shoulder at scrum-time.
Australia 0-0 England, 7 minutes
Nearly for Australia! It’s poor, really, from both sides, space opening all too easily on the right for Australia as Rob Valetini picks up at the base of the scrum. Through the hands it goes and Tom Wright is eyeing a run into the corner as Reece Hodge tosses blindly for him, but the Wallabies wing had rather over-run his full-back, and an errant pass doesn’t help matters, hopping tamely into touch as England get away with some loose edge defence.
Australia 0-0 England, 6 minutes
But England answer kicking error with kicking error - a raised hand of apology from Owen Farrell as his 22 droupout drifts over the touchline on the full.
Missed penalty! Australia 0-0 England, 5 minutes
On the 15-metre line, 25 metres out, and...not great from Noah Lolesio, who misses his first kick of the series, starting it to the right and watching it not quite hook back enough. It sails wide.
Australia 0-0 England, 3 minutes
Another bright early moment for Nick Frost, using the beef of his frame to bash through the tackle of the far smaller Danny Care as he carries in a wide channel, having lurked on the left after that lineout. England are then pinged at a breakdown - another penalty to Australia. Noah Lolesio will have an early check of his radar from the tee.
Australia 0-0 England, 2 minutes
Australia are deemed to have caused some early set-piece instability, with referee Paul Williams awarding England a free kick. Owen Farrell thumps it up the field, but not into touch, perhaps tellingly, and it sparks a spell of kick tennis.
Another kick infield from England is chased after by a forward who had failed to get back onside. Penalty to Australia and possession in England’s half from the lineout.
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