South Africa vs Wales LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Josh Adams try and Gareth Anscombe conversion make history
Follow all the reaction from Bloemfontein as Wales beat the Springboks on South African soil for the first time
Replacement fly half Gareth Anscombe kicked a late conversion from the touchline as Wales claimed their first ever away victory in South Africa with an error-strewn 13-12 success over a much-changed Springboks at the Free State Stadium.
Wing Josh Adams crossed for the only try of the game with two minutes left on the clock, leaving Anscombe with a difficult conversion to win the game, but he landed the ball through the centre of the posts to make history for Wayne Pivac’s side.
Stand-in captain Handre Pollard kicked four penalties for a Boks side that had 14 changes in their starting XV from the first test win and never found any fluency in a game where they mostly dominated territory until the final 10 minutes.
The third and deciding test in the series will be played in Cape Town next Saturday.
Follow all the reaction below with our live blog:
Australia 0-0 England, 2 minutes
The two sides trade handling errors, and then exchange kicks, Jordan Petaia’s first involvement from full-back to claim a high hoist under little pressure, securely calling for a mark from the safety of his own 22.
Australia 0-0 England, 1 minute
What a start from Ellis Genge! England’s first attack is fast, organised, and clever, Ellis Genge launched from wider by Marcus Smith picking his runners at the line and putting Michael Hooper decisively on his backside with a meaty carry. He offloads to Jamie George in good support, and Smith then kicks in behind, but Australia get bodies back and clear to about the ten-metre.
Kick off!
The second Test between Australia and England is underway.
Australia vs England
Andrew Brace (referee) and Joy Neville (TMO) are the key names of an Irish led group of match officials. Paul Williams of New Zealand and Craig Evans of Wales are the assistants.
Here we go, England to kick things off...
Anthems
Plenty of England fans have travelled down to Brisbane, and they add their scattered voices from the stands to the singing of the national anthem.
As mentioned, a Yugambeh youth choir lead “Advance Australia Fair” first in the indigenous language, then in English.
Australia vs England
Next come the Wallabies, Taniela Tupou chewing gum and readying his shoulders, swinging his arms, slapping his sides.
Shannon Ruska gives the Welcome to Country. “I don’t have my tribe here tonight,” he says, “so I’m going to ask the Aussie tribe here to join in with me.”
“Aussie Aussie Aussie!” is his call; “Oi, oi, oi!” the answer from the Wallabies fans inside Suncorp.
Australia vs England
Australia are wearing a special First Nations kit tonight, and will sing the national anthem in the local Yugambeh language, in recognition of Naidoc week.
Looks a corking atmosphere under the lights at Suncorp Stadium. It sounds like there are some boos as Courtney Lawes leads England out.
Eddie Jones is next in front of the microphone
“It’s another opportunity for us. We are particularly focussed on getting more line speed in our defence tonight and playing a bit more through our attack. The pitch is fast but for some reason they have put some water on it.
“Any message for the youngsters in the backs? “Just be themselves. They are good players, that is the reason they are here. Be themselves and they will have a big night.
“We want to go at them in the scrum - we have spoken to the referee at allowing us to scrummage. If he does, it might erupt.”
Dave Rennie, Australia's head coach, speaks to Sky Sports ahead of kick-off
“We love playing here, it is a fantastic ground, very intimate. You’ll hear the crowd tonight.
“We are well ware that they will be hurting. We think they are going to kick a bit more tonight and try and squeeze us that way, so we’ve got to deal with that.
“We tend not to talk about who we are missing, and focus on who we have got. It is great to have Taniela back - he hasn’t played for a while, so we want a good set-piece from him, and anything around the field is a bonus.
“We are certainly confident, but we are going to have to play well. We know that England will be desperate.”
Australia vs England
A big chance for Australia, today. England’s changes have rather drawn the focus in the pre-match buildup but last week was a fine evening for Dave Rennie’s side, showing their fight and clarity against adversity to beat England for the first time since 2015.
Can they settle the series? There’s a physical look to Rennie’s selection with Hunter Paisami in midfield and Taniela Tupou fit again at tighthead, while I’d expect Tom Wright to challenge England’s back three in the air. Noah Lolesio grew into the game well after his late call-up to start in Perth - you’d suggest he’ll feel slightly more settled and secure after a full week of running the Wallabies’ attack in training.
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