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
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 7-22 England, 44 minutes
Messy restart defusal from England, letting it hit the deck and allowing Marika Koroibete steal in and nearly grab Nic White’s clever, floaty diagonal drop-kick. Koroibete knocks on - fortunate for the visitors.
PENALTY! Australia 7-22 ENGLAND (Owen Farrell penalty, 43 minutes)
Another simple enough job from the tee for Owen Farrell, who has been secure as you like after some wobbles with the boot last week.
Australia 7-19 England, 42 minutes
Right, England scrum on the left-hand side nearly halfway.
Billy Vunipola breaks from the back of it, asking Nic White to make a tackle - which the far smaller man eventually does, with a bit of help, with Vunipola ten metres to the good.
Taniela Tupou is offside soon after.
Australia 7-19 England, 41 minutes
Perese is applauded off. Non-contact knee injuries are rarely much fun, but that really wasn’t pretty. Best wishes to him.
James O’Connor will replace him. Dave Rennie is fortunate to have a man of his experience and versatility available. He’ll slot in at full-back.
Australia 7-19 England, 41 minutes
Oh no! Yet more injury misfortune for Australia: Izaia Perese’s knee buckles horribly as he comes down to earth after claiming a crossfield chip. That looks serious, and unplesant. Unlike Tom Banks’ similarly stomach-turning injury last week, we don’t get extended replays, thankfully.
Back out there
As expected, no Maro Itoje for England. A big 40 minutes for Ollie Chessum in the second row.
The clarity of Dave Rennie’s half-time messaging was strongly praised by the Wallabies last week - can Australia again assert themselves more after the break?
H/T: Australia 7-19 England
Indeed, England will be a little disappointed not to be further ahead. Some slight set-piece wobbles haven’t helped, and Taniela Tupou’s try keeps Australia very much amongst things given the trouble that Eddie Jones’ side have had putting teams away.
Here’s England’s opening score, which came from Billy Vunipola, who has been excellent so far:
H/T: Australia 7-19 England
A very tidy half from England, who have been largely in control in Brisbane from the word go. Behind a strong kicking game that has allowed them to dominate territory, the attack has been direct, fast and physical, wiht Marcus Smith playing a little flatter and varying things well.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments