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:
New Zealand 17-22 Ireland, 54 minutes
This has been an excellent opening 15 minutes to the second half from the All Blacks, who have gone more direct, attacking the inside of the Irish defence having been well-handled out wide in the first half. Neither Brodie Retallick nor Ofa Tu’ungafasi will be returning, though - they have both failed their head injury assessments.
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 17-22 Ireland (Akira Ioane try, 52 minutes)
What a try from Akira Ioane! This is a brilliant solo effort from the back row, remarkably his first in international rugby. There appears little of promise as Ioane carries from first receiver, facing up to a well set Irish defence. But Ioane is so tough to put down, as Dan Sheehan finds out as he bounces back from his waist, and Josh van der Flier and Tadhg Furlong fail to grasp him, too.
There’s still Mack Hansen to beat, and Ioane gets by the Ireland wing with a sharp step and a swivel of the hips, diving for the line to complete the job. Jordie Barrett’s conversion nudges New Zealand back to within five points.
YELLOW CARD! Andrew Porter is sent to the sin bin! New Zealand 10-22 Ireland, 51 minutes
It’s yellow! Boos from the Wellington crowd recalling the dismissal of Angus Ta’avao last week, but the officials decide that this is a more passive collision, bringing the sanction down from red to yellow.
Off Porter goes for ten minutes, and Retallick, too - for an HIA that may end his evening. Tupou Vaa’i on in the All Blacks’ second row.
New Zealand 10-22 Ireland, 51 minutes
Andrew Porter is going to be in trouble here. He is upright as Retallick charges towards him, and there is direct head-to-head contact...
New Zealand 10-22 Ireland, 50 minutes
A game of kick tennis breaks out as both sides seek to win a slow-developing territorial battle. Hugo Keenan very nearly knocks on, gathering on the scramble with his second clutch at Jordie Barrett’s thump, and it all eventually comes to a halt near halfway, where New Zealand will have a lineout.
Hang on - Brodie Retallick is down in discomfort after an apparent head-to-head collision with Andrew Porter. TMO Tom Foley calls down to Wayne Barnes, who will wander over to the screen...
New Zealand 10-22 Ireland, 49 minutes
Beauden Barrett has developed his kicking game off his left peg over the years, and uses his weaker foot well, finding space beyond Mack Hansen and eventually touch to switch the field.
Johnny Sexton stays down for an extended period before Ireland throw a lineout. Joey Carbery rises from the bench and readies for entry, but Sexton will continue.
New Zealand 10-22 Ireland, 48 minutes
Plucked out of the air! Tadhg Beirne extends his big left paw and hangs on, snaring the intercept as Aaron Smith fizzed a miss ball at the line for a lumbering Nepo Laulala.
The All Blacks scramble back well to prevent the long-striding Beirne getting up to full canter, and soon enough have the ball back as Ireland kick possession away.
New Zealand 10-22 Ireland, 47 minutes
James Lowe is given rather rough treatment as he comes off his wing and charges into a group of familiar friends and foes in black shirts.
Robbie Henshaw squirms out of a tackle but is then brought permanently to floor, the centre’s wriggling taking him away from supporting teammates and allowing Ardie Savea to win a turnover.
New Zealand 10-22 Ireland, 45 minutes
New Zealand are clearly trying to remain at top intensity and put a bit of pressure back on Ireland. Aaron Smith is too hasty there, though, rushing around the corner of a ruck before the ball had exited the breakdown. Ireland kick down to New Zealand’s 22-metre line.
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