England vs Australia: Second-half rally sees hosts to victory at Twickenham
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Your support makes all the difference.England swept aside Australia 37-18 to claim a sixth successive victory over the Wallabies and complete a successful autumn series at Twickenham marred only by a controversial defeat to New Zealand.
The old enemies were deadlocked at 13-13 entering half-time but blistering tries from Elliot Daly and Joe Cokanasiga opened up daylight before the win became a rout when Owen Farrell touched down in the closing stages.
Apart from losing their way in the second quarter, England dominated the Cook Cup showdown with man of the match Kyle Sinckler, Jonny May and Cokanasiga outstanding.
Victory was secured against one of the poorest Wallaby teams seen at Twickenham in recent years, the tourists enfeebled by the loss of David Pocock to a neck injury and tumultuous build up due to senior players Kurtley Beale and Adam Ashley-Cooper being disciplined for bringing women back to their hotel rooms.
Among the biggest roars of the afternoon was reserved for Manu Tuilagi, who finally made his first Test appearance for two years as a final-quarter replacement having overcome a groin strain.
Re-live the action below:
48 min: England line-out just outside Australia's 22 on the right. The hosts are told to use it and the ball is shipped out left to Te'o. He crashes into the Australian defence, before Itoje follows in his footsteps, but the lock has the ball picked from his pocket to force the turnover. Australia scrum.
50 min: Australia line-out on the half-way line after Farrell kicks straight into touch. That's taken the momentum away from England, who had been putting together some promising passages of play.
51 min: England disrupt the line-out but not enough to steal possession. Australia are eventually forced to kick clear though, handing their opponents the initiative.
53 min: Positioned just inside his own half, Haylett-Petty knocks on under the high ball. England have the put-in at the scrum.
55 min: Wilson picks and goes from the scrum, carrying it at least 15 metres in a phenomenal display of power. He's eventually brought down, allowing England to gather themselves and ship the ball left.
England 27-13 Australia (Cokanasiga try, Farrell converts, 56 min)
England kept on pressing after that remarkable drive forward from Wilson and were richly rewarded. With the ball going left, Cokanasiga was confronted by Haylett-Petty but the Aussie wing completely misjudged his tackle and was simply bounced away by the England man. From there, with plenty of space in front of him, he charged forward to touch down close to the posts. Farrell converts.
61 min: Wow. Joe Cokanasiga, take a bow. After catching a high ball on the half-way line, the wing proceeded to run 50 metres of the pitch, skipping his way past at least three Australian players. He managed to make his way to the bottom left corner but, instead of going for dive-out, attempted to bounce Haylet-Petty. The Aussie managed to bring his opposite number down before England were subsequently held up on the try line. Scrum for the hosts.
64 min: England are handed the penalty after Sio was pulled up for collapsing the scrum. With advantage in their favour, Farrell goes for a cross-field kick in search of May but the Aussie defence holds strong. Play is brought back to the original penalty, with Farrell subsequently kicking for three points. England 30-13 Australia.
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