Australia v England LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as England keep series alive with win

Follow all the reaction from Brisbane as England bounce back with victory over the Wallabies

(Getty Images)

Owen Farrell kicked 20 points as England took an imposing early lead and held off a spirited Australia fightback to level the three-match series at 1-1 with a 25-17 victory in Brisbane on Saturday.

An early Billy Vunipola try and four penalties had England 19-0 ahead in the 32nd minute and two more three-pointers from Farrell in the second half proved enough for victory.

Australia, 30-28 winners in the series opener last week, scored tries through prop Taniela Tupou and centre Samu Kerevi either side of halftime but were unable to extend their 10-match winning streak at Lang Park.

The third and deciding test takes place at Sydney Cricket Ground next Saturday.

Follow the reaction with our live blog:

Australia vs England

• England keep the series alive with victory in Brisbane
• Billy Vunipola’s early try and Owen Farrell’s boot take England to glory
• FULL-TIME! Australia 17-25 England
• 67’ - PENALTY! Farrell moves England beyond a score in front (17-25)
• 54’ - SIN-BIN! Smith yellow carded and Wallabies close gap (17-22)
• 49’ - TRY! Kerevi scores on the overlap to narrow the gap (14-22)
• 38’ - TRY! Tupou drives over to get Australia on the board (7-19)
• 32’ - PENALTY! Fourth Farrell penalty of the half extends England’s advantage (0-19)
• 5’ - TRY! Vunipola is mauled over the line for the opening try (0-7)

[9 July 2022 12:55 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 17-25 England, 68 minutes

Pete Samu, so good off the bench last week, is sent on by Australia, and immediately produces a lively piece of footwork to win the gainline.

England turn the ball over, but Joe Heyes gets a little lost at the base, picking up with nobody to pass to and squeezed by the Australian fringe defence. Penalty to Australia.

[9 July 2022 12:53 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

PENALTY! Australia 17-25 ENGLAND (Owen Farrell penalty, 67 minutes)

A timely three points for England, back out of range of a single Australian score.

[9 July 2022 12:52 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 17-22 England, 66 minutes

Advantage coming for England. Freddie Steward wriggles the arms off him, can he reach out for the white line? Not quite!

To the forwards, biffing around the corner, a great group of them joining together to try and surge past the posts...but held up!

Back for the penalty

[9 July 2022 12:51 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 17-22 England, 65 minutes

Immediately more fizz for England with Smith back on the pitch. They canter up the left.

Clever from Owen Farrell! Cross-kick into acres of open space for Jack Nowell, who beats two defenders.

Into the Australia 22...

[9 July 2022 12:50 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 17-22 England, 64 minutes

But now the Wallabies are struggling to truly take advantage of their supremacy! Folau Fainga’a thrrow is not even close to straight.

Marcus Smith returns, joined in making his way on to the pitch by Danny Care, who replaces Jack van Poortvliet. Good first start from the Leicester youngster, though he has faded.

[9 July 2022 12:49 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 17-22 England, 63 minutes

Dynamite Tom Wright! The Australian wing has been relatively quiet but explodes into life, spotting a couple of forwards he can torment with a shimmy and dashing up the centre.

He chips beyond Tommy Freeman and drags the England man into touch. Australia lineout inside England’s 22.

[9 July 2022 12:47 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 17-22 England, 62 minutes

England go back to basics, and that powerful maul drive, slowly ratcheting up the presssure as they drive 20 metres or so.

But it all gets untidy in attack with Smith still off the field and eventually Australia latch on to a loose pass.

[9 July 2022 12:46 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 17-22 England, 60 minutes

Two minutes left until Marcus Smith is permitted to return as Australia steal another English lineout. Matt Philip again - he’s been excellent aerially today.

That’s rather wasteful, though, from James O’Connor, kicking with a hint of an overlap on turnover ball and only managing to skew out on the full. An apologetic wave of his right hand towards his teammates.

[9 July 2022 12:44 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 17-22 England, 59 minutes

Scrum penalty for England! Mako Vunipola is on for Ellis Genge at looshead but on the opposite side Will Stuart is still grumbling on, forcing Angus Bell to floor as he gets a shove on.

Stuart is on no longer - Joe Heyes is sent for to replace the prop.

[9 July 2022 12:43 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 17-22 England, 58 minutes

Better defence initially from England, quelling Australia’s maul and then hurrying up into the face of Hunter Paisami, forcing an errant pull-back pass in the direction of Noah Lolesio.

Lolesio picks up on the bounce, but the sting is out of Australia’s attack. Another intricate sketch from the backs ends with a Marika Koroibete knock-on.