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 16:13 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

PENALTY! SOUTH AFRICA 3-3 Wales (Handre Pollard penalty, 6 minutes)

A simple starter for Handre Pollard, though, and we are back to all-square after a jaunty introduction.

[9 July 2022 16:12 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 0-3 Wales, 4 minutes

Advantage to South Africa and they play at pace superbly! Swept out through the hands to the right, Warrick Gelant scorching an outside path and feeding Kurt-Lee Arendse. He combines with debutant Evan Roos five metres out.

Another advantage, and another, each for an offside Welsh player, both in the shadow of the posts. Another forward carry...knocked on!

[9 July 2022 16:11 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 0-3 Wales, 3 minutes

Another ball breaks Wales’ way, but finally some joy for South Africa, Jaden Hendrikse over the ball sharply and the little scrum-half surviving the cleanout to earn a holding on penalty.

[9 July 2022 16:10 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 0-3 Wales, 2 minutes

Wales do rather better with their restart drill, taking down and clearing through Kieran Hardy’s right boot...

And a thundering Alex Cuthbert claims Hardy’s hoist!

[9 July 2022 16:09 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

PENALTY! South Africa 0-3 WALES (Dan Biggar penalty, 2 minutes)

Not even 90 seconds on the clock, and the second strike of Dan Biggar’s boot puts Wales three points in front.

[9 July 2022 16:08 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 0-0 Wales, 1 minute

And a penalty to Wales right away! Not the finest return to international rugby for Pieter-Steph du Toit, sealing off at the first ruck of the game after Warrick Gelant had claimed the kick-off.

[9 July 2022 16:07 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

KICK OFF!

South Africa against Wales has begun!

[9 July 2022 16:07 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Match Officials

After plenty of chatter about the involvement of the officials in the first Test, referee Angus Gardner might hope for a quieter afternoon. Matthew Carley and Andrea Piardi are his assistants; Brett Cronan the TMO.

Dan Biggar to get things underway...

[9 July 2022 16:06 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

National anthem of South Africa

Fireworks and flames to punctuate the closing notes of the South African national anthem, led by Caroline Grace. An excellent crowd in. This could be a lot of fun.

[9 July 2022 16:04 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau

Wayne Pivac and the Welsh coaching staff are high up in the rafters at Toyota Stadium, joined in the top tier by a number of Welsh supporters, flags fluttering as they add accompaniement to their national anthem, which sounds rather better than it did last week.