MAX JORGENSEN’S LATE try saw Australia claim a stunning 42-37 win over England at Twickenham as the Wallabies launched their northern hemisphere tour with a statement victory.
The lead changed hands four times in the closing 15 minutes, with England 37-35 ahead and 80 minutes already played after lock Maro Itoje went over for a try converted by out-half Marcus Smith.
But there was still time for the Wallabies to hit back, replacement back Jorgensen scoring the last of 10 tries in the match when he went in at the corner after a wonderful Len Ikitau offload.
Noah Lolesio converted as the Wallabies beat England at Twickenham for the first time since they knocked the Red Roses out of the 2015 World Cup.
This was also just Australia’s second win in their last 12 Tests against England, with the Wallabies the underdogs after losing five of their six games in this year’s southern hemisphere Rugby Championship.
Victory for Australia kept alive their hopes of emulating the celebrated 1984 Wallabies’ Grand Slam tour of Britain.
By contrast this result meant England had lost both of their opening November internationals after last week’s agonising 24-22 loss to New Zealand, with this reverse their sixth defeat in eight Tests against all opponents.
England took an early 15-3 lead after two tries by flanker Chandler Cunningham-South.
But the Wallabies scored three of their own through Tom Wright, captain Harry Wilson and lock Jeremy Williams to lead 28-18 heading into the last quarter.
England, however, hit back through replacement wing Ollie Sleightholme’s try double to lead 30-28.
But Australia responded when Andrew Kellaway came off his wing to gather a loose pass from replacement George Ford and run clear for a try.
Lolesio’s conversion left the Wallabies five points in front at 35-30 with five minutes left to play — but there was still plenty more drama to come.
It took England just five minutes to open the scoring with a fine try involving both their backs and forwards.
Smith’s well-weighted grubber kick behind Australia’s defensive line was regathered by centre Ollie Lawrence.
Slick passing saw the ball worked through several pairs of hands, right wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso finding No 8 Ben Earl who in turn released Cunningham-South, with the blindside flanker going over for a try on the overlap.
England’s lead was cut to 5-3 when Wallaby out-half Lolesio landed a penalty.
But Cunningham-South had his second try when he powered over from a close-range tap penalty in the 12th minute following another sniping break by Smith.
Smith extended England’s lead to 15-3 with a 39-metre penalty before home flanker Tom Curry appeared to be knocked out cold while making a 23rd minute-tackle. Although he eventually got to his feet, Curry could not continue and was replaced by Alex Dombrandt.
The delay disrupted England’s rhythm and Australia were soon back in the game.
Much of the pre-match build-up had focused on Australia coach Joe Schmidt’s decision to give a Test debut to Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii even though this match represented the 21-year-old’s first senior game of rugby union.
After Australia declined a kickable penalty, former rugby league star Suaalii’s sublime one-handed pass sent in full-back Wright for a 26th-minute try.
Lolesio converted only for another Smith penalty to put England 18-10 ahead.
But No 8 Wilson went over for a try following a fine break by replacement scrum-half Tate McDermott, with Lolesio’s conversion leading the Wallabies 20-18 ahead at half-time.
Wallaby lock Williams dived in at the corner under pressure from Feyi-Waboso and England scrum-half Ben Spencer early in the second half of a frantic game.
A lengthy video review ensued but, with no conclusive evidence to overturn referee Ben O’Keeffe’s on-field decision, the try stood.
Another Smith grubber kick paved the way for Sleightholme’s maiden Test try and he was soon in again only for the Northampton flyer to end up on the losing side.
Spot on.
I share the undercooked concern. Choose close to full team, rest anyone with a niggle or still jaded from last weeks heat. Warm ups are over, time to build momentum.
Murray; first of all, I have really enjoyed the podcasts so far from France, so thank you for that.
My amateur opinion is that they should go full strength and treat the SA game like a final. Even if it’s a narrow loss, they’ll know that they’re close to the standard required to win the competition. If they win, then the belief will become huge. You have to bear in mind that Ireland have had some less good performances last Autumn and in the 6N, but they’re kept winning and so surely they have that winning mindset. This is pretty rare and the winning run is worth fighting for.
One question for you would be about training. I’d be happy if they were having a few savage full contact sessions, as these may be tougher than a match against a tier 2 nation, but the squad size is restricted so this may not be possible. Would this be another argument for going full strength against Tonga? I’d really like to see the line out attack come back and to deny Tonga from scoring a try.
Maybe the answer to this in 4 years is to line up top opposition in friendlies leading into the world cup. I get they need to get the A team up to 100% preperation firing for the SA game but at the expense of picking up injuries again the minnows before then is a risky plan…
@Stuart: You are probably right… but I think the IRFU found it difficult to line up a game against other tier 1 nations. The England game was probably lined up from 4 years ago. Maybe they left it too late to arrange the others and it wouldn’t be extraordinary to think that they were disorganised or complacent.
@Stuart: apparently other top tier nations turned down playing against Ireland in the summer internationals. Not sure if they left it too late or if other teams felt it would show their hand too much.
In all likelihood yourself and the others on media duties are aware of the team (as normal) but cannot spell it out BUT you’re trying to slowly row your way back from the, way off, potential team you posted a few days ago…. Nice try. It’ll be about 12 from first 15 and Big Joe may be on his way to being first 15 with anyone carrying minor niggle sitting it out. Murray knew a few weeks ago Big Joe would get his shot
Are we not finding excuses to talk ourselves into the very same situation that killed us in previous world cups – ie no trust in the wider squad and thereby overloading the core group? What you are saying, Murray, is that should Ireland win the WC, they would play basically the same team for 6 matches in a row (with only minor alterations from the remaining 7th game). That’s a tough message to the squad and it does not fit the McCloskey inclusion.
@John Morris: nah, I dont think so. We played a weakened team vs Japan 4 yrs ago and look what happened. Plus we play our best team in 6 nations each game for most part with slight adjustments for Italy. Look at what southern hemisphere do – play their strongest team pretty much for rugby championship and some warm ups. And they win every world cup except 1. I think Murray’s article is very well put together and I would agree full strength is required. Its not equal game time for all, go games style. These are fully grown men playing professional sport so get on with it. They;; be called upon if injury strikes. Thats the idea of a squad of grown men
Gonna be an interesting call, they can probably win with a 2nd string side but agree we should put out close to our strongest . Only player I would definitely look to leave out from the 23 is Porter and keep him fresh for SA. We can bring in the likes of Baird , Henderson, Henshaw , McCloskey and Byrne (sub) and steam roll Tonga
@Owen ODonoghue: Spot on about Porter. He is the one player we cannot afford to lose to injury. Playing against SA without him would be scary.
@Owen ODonoghue: Getting hard to see Byrne in the mix, no doubt he’ll be thereabouts for this game tho.
We’re at risk of Eddie O’Sullivan 2007 territory here by playing the same team every weekend. Given the likely hard slog against Scotland and every weekend thereafter they need to rotate this weekend