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 07:39 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland vs New Zealand

To Dunedin, where Ireland go back into battle with the All Blacks having been reminded just how tough it is to win in New Zealand. Andy Farrell’s side are still seeking that elusive, historic first win in Aotearoa, and after a midweek hop from North Island to South, the All Blacks will be hoping to again turn up the heat in the Glasshouse.

Kick-off is not too far away, so let’s take a closer look at the two teams...

[9 July 2022 07:36 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland vs New Zealand

Welcome, then, to another mammoth day of rugby. Last week, it was the four Rugby Championship sides that nudged 1-0 ahead in the series, with Sanzaar smiling and the Home Nations left licking some rather sore wounds. Can the Northern Hemisphere sides hit back?

[9 July 2022 07:33 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Talking points ahead of New Zealand vs Ireland

State-of-the-art stadium

While there has been incessant wet weather in Dunedin, with more rain forecast, the conditions cannot dampen the spectacle, as Saturday’s encounter will be staged at the revolutionary Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Dubbed ‘The Glasshouse’, the 30,000-seater venue features a grass pitch underneath a permanent, transparent roof constructed from the same plastic material used to create the Eden Project in Cornwall.

Protection from the elements should prove conducive to the free-flowing, running rugby favoured by both sides. Ireland’s only previous appearance at the ground came in the pool stage of the 2011 World Cup when a team including current internationals Sexton, Earls, Cian Healy and Conor Murray defeated Italy 36-6.

[9 July 2022 07:32 · Luke Baker]

Talking point ahead of New Zealand vs Ireland

Eradicating errors

Ireland faded fast from a strong start in the opener and were undermined by a string of costly blunders which the ruthless All Blacks clinically exploited.

While Farrell has shown loyalty in his selection, he knows that a repeat of the alarming error count will almost certainly culminate in a similar outcome.

On the flipside, the Englishman can take comfort from his team’s encouraging attacking play. Ireland enjoyed plenty of forays into New Zealand’s 22, ran in three tries and were held up on a number of occasions, with Joey Carbery and Josh Van Der Flier particularly unfortunatTightening up and coming out on the right side of some fine e. margins could make a substantial difference.

[9 July 2022 07:29 · Luke Baker]

Talking points ahead of New Zealand vs Ireland

Staying alive

As bluntly pointed out by assistant coach Mike Catt, Ireland do not have time to “muck about” or feel sorry for themselves. While the Auckland hammering was only a second defeat in 14 Tests for Farrell’s men, it no doubt dealt a blow to confidence.

If the Irish wish to remain alive in the series, they must immediately regroup and somehow mastermind a maiden success over the Kiwis on New Zealand soil.

Australia-born Hansen believes many have already written off Ireland and feels the greater pressure is on the hosts. He also said the opportunity to make history serves as an additional incentive in the quest to force a decider in Wellington.

[9 July 2022 07:26 · Luke Baker]

Talking points ahead of New Zealand vs Ireland

Return of the Mack

Ireland’s ranks have been bolstered by fit-again winger Mack Hansen following his bout of Covid-19. The 24-year-old replaces Keith Earls in the only change to Andy Farrell’s starting XV and could offer a different dimension to the Irish attack having impressed since making his Test debut in this year’s Six Nations.

New Zealand have also made a single change, albeit an enforced one. Experienced lock Sam Whitelock, who last week became the All Blacks’ second most-capped player, misses out due to concussion, resulting in a reshuffle in the pack as Scott Barrett pushes forward into the second row and Dalton Papalii comes in at blindside flanker.

[9 July 2022 07:23 · Luke Baker]

Talking points ahead of New Zealand vs Ireland

Here’s Johnny

All eyes will be on Johnny Sexton after his selection raised concerns and prompted ongoing debate. Ireland’s influential skipper was unable to have much impact at Eden Park and became a doubt for the second Test after being forced off by a head knock with around half an hour gone.

Sexton, who will celebrate his 37th birthday on Monday, has passed subsequent assessments to satisfy World Rugby rules regarding suspected concussion and retain the No 10 jersey.

He insisted there are no issues with his physical condition. Yet the swift return to action has not been well received by some, including safety campaign group Progressive Rugby.

[9 July 2022 07:19 · Luke Baker]

Winger Mack Hansen happy for Ireland to be written off against New Zealand

Fit-again winger Mack Hansen insists Ireland are not in New Zealand “just to take part” but is happy for his side to be written off.

The All Blacks are strong favourites to clinch an early series victory ahead of Saturday’s second Test in Dunedin following a dominant 42-19 win last weekend in Auckland.

Connacht back Hansen has been recalled on the right flank in place of Keith Earls in the only change to Andy Farrell’s starting XV after recovering from Covid-19.

The 24-year-old, who believes there is greater pressure on Ian Foster’s hosts, says the Irish camp remains in high spirits as they once again go in search of a maiden success on New Zealand soil.

“I think everybody’s definitely written us off straight away,” he said. “We had a very good Six Nations and autumn Tests leading up to that, so people can say what they want to say.

“We know what we need to do to get a win and there’s a great feeling around the group so, if everybody wants to write us off, that’s great.”

[9 July 2022 07:14 · Luke Baker]

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton ‘fine’ for second Test against New Zealand

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton insisted he is “fine” and passed head injury tests “with flying colours” as he allayed concerns about his selection for Saturday’s second Test against New Zealand.

The influential fly-half failed an on-pitch assessment during the first half of last weekend’s 42-19 first-Test defeat by the All Blacks and left the field without returning.

Head coach Andy Farrell’s decision to pick his skipper for the next instalment of the series in Dunedin has been questioned in some quarters, including by safety campaign group Progressive Rugby.

Yet Sexton, who expected to come back on in Auckland having sustained the knock by slipping into New Zealand captain Sam Cane, played down fears surrounding his physical condition.

“You go off for an HIA (head injury assessment) and you don’t come back on, everyone presumes that’s a concussion, but it’s not,” he said, according to the Irish Times. “It’s just, if there is a suspected (concussion) or if there is any doubt about the player.”

[9 July 2022 07:09 · Luke Baker]

World Rugby defends head-injury protocols in wake of Johnny Sexton’s selection

World Rugby has warned against “irresponsible” remote head-injury diagnosis in defending its Head Injury Assessment (HIA) protocols.

Safety campaign group Progressive Rugby has claimed HIA checks are “being exposed” in the wake of Johnny Sexton’s selection for Ireland’s second Test against New Zealand.

Talismanic fly-half Sexton failed HIA1 – an on-field assessment – in Ireland’s 42-19 defeat by the All Blacks in Auckland last weekend.

Progressive Rugby has called into question Sexton’s subsequent selection for Saturday’s second Test in Dunedin, raising fears over the HIA process.

But World Rugby has stressed that failing the HIA1 on-field assessment does not automatically mean a player has sustained concussion.