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:
New Zealand 0-10 Ireland, 30 minutes
An onrushing Quinn Tupaea knocks on as New Zealand vary their lineout, throwing long over the top. Ireland scrum.
Oh dear! A horrible clash of heads as Garry Ringrose takes a switch ball and slams into Angus Ta’avao. Ta’avao hasn’t dipped at all - which may mean a second tighthead in disciplinary trouble...
New Zealand 0-10 Ireland, 28 minutes
Angus Ta’avao has been introduced to cover for the absent Tu’ungafasi, and he and George Bower win the battle at scrum-time, earning a penalty.
Despite their dominance, not much has gone right for Ireland. That’s several opportunities gone, and though the two TMO checks have resulted in yellows, you’d say that New Zealand have been lucky to escape stiffer sanction (a red in the first instance, a penalty try in the second) on each occasion.
New Zealand 0-10 Ireland, 27 minutes
Still, an outstanding chance for Ireland, who very nearly fumble early in the movemebnt but just about keep the ball alive.
But the defence is brilliant from New Zealand. Their 13 men stay on their feet and show no obvious fissures, rushing up to force quick Irish decisions and chopping the legs of heavy carriers like Tadhg Furlong. The ball again flops free from Irish hands, and though Jaco Peyper initially deemed it to have been dislodged by New Zealand, his assistant informs him it was, in fact, a knock-on.
Another chance gone for Ireland, and Leicester Fainga’anuku has congratulatory back slaps for his teammates as the wing returns from his spell in the sin bin after a fine defensive stand. New Zealand scrum.
YELLOW CARD! Ofa Tu’ungafasi is sent to the sin bin! New Zealand 0-10 Ireland, 25 minutes
Another yellow for New Zealand, but surely that should be a penalty try? Tu’ungafasi has tackled Ringrose without the ball just as Sexton looks to pop infield to his centre, and without the prop’s intervention, cover was lacking. TMO Tom Foley and referee Jaco Peyper are content that Jordie Barrett, some distance away, would have got back to make a tackle - I’m really not sure.
Johnny Sexton argues as much, but it is only yellow, and an Ireland penalty. New Zealand drop to 13 men and will be forced to call on a specialist prop as Ireland take the scrum. A let off, you’d say, for the All Blacks.
New Zealand 0-10 Ireland, 25 minutes
Nearly for Ireland! A clever kick from Johnny Sexton forces the Barrett brothers into hasty retreat and Beauden’s’ clearance remains infield, granting Ireland a chance to run it back.
It is Sexton who is off and up the tramline down the left, rounding a fatigued Tu’ungafasi. He looks inwards for Garry Ringrose, but can’t find him, perhaps due to an early tackle from the tighthead.
Here go Ireland again, surely numbers to the short side - intercepted! Beauden Barrett gets to the ball to deny a certain score!
But the TMO wants to check Tu’ungafasi’s tackle on Ringrose...
New Zealand 0-10 Ireland, 23 minutes
Twice Ireland explore the blindside but Ofa Tu’ungafasi stands up strongly, making two strong hits.
New Zealand 0-10 Ireland, 22 minutes
This is very, very scratchy from New Zealand. Another lineout launch play goes all wrong, with Sevu Reece forced to swiftly clean up the mess. It ends any thought of a sustained attack from halfway as Beauden Barrett is again forced to the air. The All Blacks have not settled into their attacking patterns at all.
Sam Cane is offside at the first Irish ruck after the high kick is claimed.
New Zealand 0-10 Ireland, 21 minutes
Yet Ireland again grant New Zealand an easy escape with a lineout infringement.
New Zealand 0-10 Ireland, 20 minutes
The clock ticks beyond 20 minutes as Aaron Smith kicks high and deep, Ireland taking it well. They’ll be hoping for a better second quarter than a week ago, and that’s a tidy start from Garry Ringrose, thumping a kick into touch on the hop to switch the field, Beauden Barrett watching it over the line five metres outside of his 22.
New Zealand 0-10 Ireland, 19 minutes
Slightly curiously, both Josh van der Flier and Sam Cane pop up off the side of the scrum before Ardie Savea has extracted the ball. The Irish seven is marginally quicker to do so, and duly penalised, allowing New Zealand an easier clearance and lineout possession.
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