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:
God Defend New Zealand
The crowd are in good voice, aided by the Forsyth Barr roof, which amplifies a pleasant rendition of “God Defend New Zealand”.
Ireland’s Call
A green mouthguard for Johnny Sexton today, the Ireland skipper popping it back in after joining his teammates in a strong singing of “Ireland’s Call”. Tadhg Furlong sang every note with a look of apparent disgust - fancy that the tighthead, perhaps a little quieter than usual seven days ago, is rather up for this one.
And here are New Zealand
An emphatic lifting of the volume from the crowd as the first All Black faces emerge from the tunnel.
Out come Ireland
In the interests of balance, Ireland have also never lost at the Glasshouse, beating Italy in Dunedin during the 2011 World Cup.
Johnny Sexton leads the men in green out.
Ireland vs New Zealand
Looks a very healthy crowd in Forsyth Barr Stadium. The All Blacks are seven from seven at the Dunedin ground. Ominous.
Ireland vs New Zealand
Andy Farrell also mentioned that his Ireland side need to cause some chaos for New Zealand today, which seems counter-intuitive given the manner in which the All Blacks pounced on any untidiness last weekend. One wonders what the Ireland head coach has up his sleeve.
The players are beginning to ready themselves in the dressing rooms.
Ireland vs New Zealand
One of the features of last week’s encounter was the manner in which New Zealand were able to slow Irish ruck ball. Ireland started well in Auckland, but as the game got messier, so did their ruck detail. There’s little suggestion that the All Blacks will be less active in that area this week, naming an extra specialist scavenger in Dalton Papalii to combine with Sam Cane and Ardie Savea. Can Ireland counter their threat?
Andy Farrell has a chat with Sky Sports
“Once you dust yourself off, start getting into the week and understand where you went wrong, preparation has been very good from there on in.
“We know that the All Blacks are going to be better as well. There were a few chances that weren’t taken last week and you don’t win against the All Blacks if you don’t cross the line every time. That’s obvious for us.”
Team News - Ireland
One story has dominated the discussion of Ireland’s selection, with Johnny Sexton retained as fly-half and captain. Sexton failed an in-game head injury assessment last weekend, ending his game half-an-hour in, but has passed two subsequent checks, clearing him to play. He is unsurprisingly selected by Andy Farrell.
There is just one change to the starting side, in fact: Mack Hansen swaps in on the wing for Keith Earls. Front-rowers Rob Herring and Finlay Bealham take spots on the bench.
Ireland XV: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; Sexton (capt), Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Beirne, Ryan, O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris.
Replacements: Herring, Healy, Bealham, Treadwell, Conan, Murray, Carbery, Aki.
Team News – New Zealand
There’s no Sam Whitelock for New Zealand this week, with the veteran lock reporting some brain injury symptoms in training and thus sat down. There are plenty who feel Scott Barrett probably shouldn’t be involved, either, after the manner in which he used his shoulder late in last weekend’s encounter, but Barrett was not cited and fills Whitelock’s berth in the engine room.
His shuffling forward means the All Blacks required a new six, who is actually a seven – Dalton Papalii is promoted from the bench to complete a full back-row of individuals who would probably prefer to be stationed on the openside. The backs are unchanged.
On the bench, burly prop Aidan Ross and fizzing half-back Folau Fakatava are set to make their debut, while Patrick Tuipulotu has been hastily called in to provide second row cover with Tupou Vaai ruled out due to Covid. Will Jordan missed out last week having received the dreaded two lines on his test, but is clear to return and primed to cause damage late on.
New Zealand: J Barrett; Reece, Ioane, Tupaea, Fainga’anuku; B Barrett, Smith; Bower, Taylor, Tu’ungafasi, Retallick, S Barrett, Papalii, Cane (capt), Savea.
Replacements: Taukei’aho, Ross, Ta’avao, Tuipulotu, Sowakula, Fakatava, Mo’unga, Jordan.
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