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 17:11 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

H/T: South Africa 3-3 Wales

An update on Alex Cuthbert - the Wales wing’s arm is in a sling after leaving the field in pain early on. Given the amount of strapping around Josh Adams’ knee, you do wonder how fit he really is. South Africa may look to target that left wing in the second half.

It should be noted that the Springboks have kept their trademark 6-2 bench split despite all of the changes. There are three potential debutants among the six forwards, and plenty of beef, which I imagine we will be seeing at some point reasonably soon after the restart.

[9 July 2022 17:07 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

H/T: South Africa 3-3 Wales

South Africa are clearly targeting the Welsh lineout, which is bringing some joy, while they’ve had a slight edge at scrum-time, too. But all of those changes are perhaps hurting them - it’s just been a half-beat off from the Springboks in all facets, with plenty of frustrating inaccuracies.

Wales, meanwhile, are keeping the ball in play and contesting in the air when they can - again, it is working to some extent, but they are really short of gainline wins in attack, which is preventing them building any momentum on the back of it.

[9 July 2022 17:03 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

H/T: South Africa 3-3 Wales

Not a great deal to report from that half. South Africa are clearly on top and playing in the right areas but both sides are making errors rather too regularly, which has prevented this encounter from developing any sort of flow or fizz. The attacks have been clunky, the defences tight, and each kicker has missed from the tee - not the best first 40 minutes, all told.

[9 July 2022 16:58 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

HALF TIME! SOUTH AFRICA 3-3 WALES

(AFP via Getty Images)

[9 July 2022 16:58 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 3-3 Wales, 40 minutes

Evan Roos thinks he is off on a gallop to the line as he gathers yet another dropped ball, but there are South African hands involved in it hitting the deck. Roos smiles as he trots back - knock-on South Africa, Welsh scrum.

Wales win a penalty at the scrum, but Dan Biggar has seen quite enough of a rather unattractive half of rugby. Tapped and chipped into the first row - off down the tunnel for the half-time oranges.

[9 July 2022 16:55 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 3-3 Wales, 39 minutes

Another chance to attack for South Africa; another rather atypical error. Wales are managing to stymie early in the phases and this much-changed Springboks side is appearing to lose shape thereafter. It is Andre Esterhuizen this time fumbling forward.

Still it remains 3-3 with the halftime hooter soon to sound.

[9 July 2022 16:53 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 3-3 Wales, 37 minutes

The untidiness from both sides continue. The ball breaks from the back of a Welsh ruck after good work from Warrick Gelant, and Joseph Dweba sets off on a rampage up the right, boshing back Dan Biggar who opted to go high.

Dweba places back but finds support lacking, allowing BIggar to nip around the corner and snatch it from the hooker’s outstretched arms. Biggar is driven into touch.

[9 July 2022 16:52 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 3-3 Wales, 35 minutes

That’s better from Wales! The running game hasn’t got going so it is to the boot that Dan Biggar goes, lifting a lovely crossfield kick that Louis Rees-Zammit tidily flicks back infield to an onrushing Liam Willliams.

South Africa react swiftly to get across to Williams, who is again forced to kick, ball once more brushing the white line on the hop.

[9 July 2022 16:50 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 3-3 Wales, 34 minutes

Wales play to the open spaces on the left, but South Africa haven’t really been troubled defensively so far. Liam Williams is forced to kick, and it skips into touch.

[9 July 2022 16:49 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 3-3 Wales, 33 minutes

Better mauling from Wales, advancing beyond the halfway line. Kieran Hardy puts too much mustard on his box kick, allowing Aphelele Fassi to claim a mark without a Welsh body troubling him.