In the town they call Brisvegas, Eddie Jones’ gamble almost paid off. England rolled the dice by sending the kids – some too young to go to real casinos – and they leveled the series with a strong first-half performance.
The second half wasn’t as impressive but they held on for a win that should give confidence to the Red Rose’s withering ranks. It will ease the strain that has been building on Jones’ shoulders and at the very least avoid a 3-0 defeat that would have left his job on the line.
The opening 30 minutes was England’s strongest spell since the World Cup. Perfect science. A timely reminder that momentum is the product of mass times velocity. England were snarling – although they need to start showing their teeth in 80 minutes if they are serious about their World Cup project.
Owen Farrell scored 20 points as England beat Australia in Brisbane on Saturday
Billy Vunipola scored an early try to give England the perfect start in Brisbane
He was greeted by the forward pack as England continued to dominate the first half
With his first run of the game, Ellis Genge struck out Michael Hooper. The Marcus Smith-Owen Farrell dynamic had a new look. Smith took control in the first phase, playing the ball to the line, with running opportunities all around him. He released Billy Vunipola in tackles, with the ball-carriers emphasizing their kicking performances to speed up the phase play.
The local newspaper couldn’t even write Jack van Poortliet’s name in its preview. If he was unknown on the international stage before Saturday night, few more will know who he is now.
The physical condition was punishing. Players dropped out everywhere. Wallabies full-back Jordan Petaya went down first in the fourth minute. He barely managed to stand up after a collision with Tommy Freeman and the hosts had to dip further into their back three reserves. England took advantage, barraging them with kicks, causing chaos in the backfield.
Ellis Genge set the tone for the first half with a line break in the first minute
After five minutes, England pulled off a special play. A joker up his sleeve. Michael Hooper conceded a handing penalty in the tackle and Farrell kicked for the line. Maro Itoje controlled the throw and passed the ball to Vunipola, who was cleared at the first attempt. There was no shortage of spice, but Genge sprinkled a little more as he slapped Hooper’s chest with relish.
Under pressure, the home team’s discipline shrunk. Jack Nowell chased every kick and Courtney Laws faced the damage. The intensity almost boiled over. Genge was lucky to avoid a penalty for pressing Nic White’s throat with his forearm. Farrell kicked two quick penalties before adding a third when Isaiah Perese was adjudged for a deliberate knock.
Midway through the first half, the stadium tannoy had to rally the home crowd to make some noise. There was stunned silence. England was ruthless. Sam Underhill tracked Samu Kerevi around the pitch, smashing the dangerous center before he had time to run down Smith’s channel. It was as if Number 10 was playing with private security.
Taniela Tupou went over the try line late in the first half to give Australia some hope
Samu Kerevi then struck in the second half as Australia threatened to mount a comeback
A desperation tackle by Paysamy stopped Nowell from scoring again, but Farrell extended his lead to 19 points after a kicking offence. Everything was going England’s way. Vunipola walked over the gain line with a smile on his face as if the clock had been turned back a few years.
It was a near perfect half – surely there was no going back for the Wallabies? – but after 38 minutes Taniela Tupou won a penalty in the scrum. Australia kicked in the corner and after a couple of powerful tackles, Tupou broke through to score. Then another blow. Itoje was bounced in the tackle by Hunter Paisama and England’s talismanic lock did not return.
The list of victims was growing. Parese was injured on one of the first plays of the second half and Scott Sio joined him in the medical room moments later. Farrell put England further ahead with the first points of the second period, but the tide was on the verge of turning.
Australia overturned an English scrum on home soil. They were kicking towards the line and suddenly there was a role reversal. James O’Connor stepped in as a playmaker and sent the gold jerseys forward. Tupou attacked Smith and the white wall of the defense was broken, leaving open space for Kerevi to score.
Marcus Smith was charged with the sin of willful forgery as Australia piled on the pressure
However, England kept their cool as Courtney Laws led his side to a much-needed win
If the charge against Tupou was bad enough, Smith soon had another moment to forget. After tapping on White’s pass, the number 10 was sent to the sin bin and Lolessio kicked the three points. Underhill was the next casualty, injured as he tackled Coriobete, before Caderyn Neville was taken away on a gurney.
Tom Wright made a huge break the length of the pitch for the home side but they were unable to convert their purple patch into points. The Wallabies missed a touch, threw a shaky lineout and kicked the ball out.
Danny Care added his experience from the bench and England soon found some relief. Lawes and Lewis Ludlam found a second wind in the battle. Guy Porter made a break from his own 22 before Farrell sent a crossfield kick to Nowell. Freddie Steward missed but Farrell made it seven from seven to put England two scores ahead. The gamble paid off.
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