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 11:59 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 7-19 England, 40 minutes

England are awarded a breakdown penalty on halfway as Australia rush through prematurely on a ball not yet deemed out...

But Owen Farrell is over-ambitious as he seeks the corner, and Australia send everyone down the tunnel by booting the ball for the stands.

[9 July 2022 11:57 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 7-19 England, 39 minutes

Eek! Maro Itoje races down to tackle Hunter Paisami after the kick-off, but is sent tumbling away from the centre, his head colliding with Paisami’s shoulder. There is no foul play, but Itoje hits the deck hard, perhaps even knocked out in the collision.

He will, at the very least, require a head injury assessment, but like Jordan Petaia early on, we may not see him again. If he did lose conciousness, as he appears to on the replay, there is no doubt - that will be Itoje done, most likely for the tour.

Ollie Chessum comes on.

[9 July 2022 11:52 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! AUSTRALIA 7-19 England (Taniela Tupou try, 37 minutes)

And there is the try! Credit this one to the front-rowers, Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou earning the scrum penalty and then prominent in England’s 22.

Hunter Paisami’s abrasive carry is excellent, but it is Bell and Tupou who are top of the props, first the deceptively shifty Bell shimmying into space and then a rather more forthright Tupou providing the telling bash on the England’s door.

Noah Lolesio pops over the conversion.

[9 July 2022 11:52 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 0-19 England, 35 minutes

An Australia penalty at the scrum! Will Stuart is called for dropping his bind, harshly, according to scrummaging expert David Flatman in the commentary booth.

Australia kick into the English 22, rather needing a score.

[9 July 2022 11:50 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 0-19 England, 33 minutes

Australia are restored to 15 players as Noah Lolesio restarts things.

England’s kicking game has been outstanding so far. Their 19th of the half is another to be contested, Jack Nowell beating Marika Koroibete to win it back for the visitors, though Will Stuart’s hands are not secure as he stoops in an attempt to tidy up the loose pieces.

[9 July 2022 11:48 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

PENALTY! Australia 0-19 ENGLAND (Owen Farrell penalty, 32 minutes)

Three more points to Farrell’s tally. England in complete control.

[9 July 2022 11:47 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 0-16 England, 31 minutes

A minute or so left on Izaia Perese’s sin-binning as Jamie George this time hits his target at the tail. England’s maul gets a-moving once more - Australia halt the drive’s progress illegally. Penalty to England - Owen Farrell will kick for goal.

[9 July 2022 11:46 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 0-16 England, 30 minutes

It feels like Australia are clinging on here. Again England ask them to turn and retreat with a kick into the corner, the Wallabies just about clearing.

The defensive lineout continues to function well, though. Matt Philip again is the hoisted player, tapping the ball back towards Nic White, but the scrum-half can’t collect. Into touch it bounces ten metres on from the position of the first lineout, from where England will go again.

[9 July 2022 11:44 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 0-16 England, 28 minutes

The kick again brings joy for England! Marcus Smith is going to his boot early and often in phase play - this is not quite what he intended, the ball bouncing from the face of Angus Bell, but the bounce of the ball is favouring England, and Sam Underhill collects.

Into the 22 the flanker goes, offloading to Jamie George. What chances present themselves to the right? Few. Jack Nowell is chopped down by Hunter Paisami, covering across well with his lumberjack’s axe.

[9 July 2022 11:43 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 0-16 England, 26 minutes

White again retreats beyond his own try-line to retrieve another clever prod from Marcus Smith. White slices his clerance this time, and Jonny Hill collects well, but England’s support is lacking and Ellis Genge is turned over.