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England have won the second Test to take out their first ever series in Australia. Here are the talking points in the wake of the match.
England claim that series
It took an Aussie at the helm for England to finally work out how to play rugby in Australia. Humbling it is for the Wallabies, who now head to Sydney desperate to avoid a clean sweep in the series following a 23-7 loss last night. Go back two weeks and most of us would have scoffed at the possibility of losing a home series to England 3-0.
More of the wash-up from Wallabies vs England
» Pulver not happy with AAMI Park surface
» Match report: England clinch the series
» DIY player ratings
» Roar Forum – what changes should the Wallabies make?
» WATCH: Highlights from the match
Eddie Jones is a genius
Since taking over the supercoach is now eight from eight.
AAMI Park surface
I am sorry but those conditions last night were atrocious and is an embarrassment on Test rugby. It didn’t kill of a spectacle as the game was still an enthralling contest, but there needs to be some serious questions answered on how that pitch was considered acceptable for Test match rugby.
Hooker delight
How good is it to see the big men get over for a meat pie? Captains and hookers for their respective sides, Dylan Hartley and Stephen Moore scoring the first two tries in the game.
Attack versus defence
217 tackles the English made to the Wallabies’ 81. 14 the number of handling errors from the Wallabies, 12 phases of seven or more from the Aussies yet they failed to penetrate the England defence.
They had 962 metres off 172 carries compared to England’s 282 metres off 53, but in the end it was England’s counter play and defence, particularly before half time where they stopped the Wallabies after 21 phases that won them the game.
Farrell does it again
The centre is a gun and again showed why having two playmakers pays dividends. He was virtually flawless with the boot and scored the try that ended any chance of a Wallaby comeback.
Scrum problems
Again problems plagued the Wallaby scrum, not that the surface helped at all.
50/50s go England’s way as Joubert puts cards away
Some silly play from the Wallabies. They had a penalty in the 11th minute and Moore gives away a reversal following a review, England then go and draw first blood.
With 49 minutes gone the TMO wanted to check foul play, in the end the penalty goes against Bernard Foley for moving off his line. Six points in 50/50 calls that go against Australia, but sometimes that is the way it is.
Take nothing away from England’s defence but there is only so many times you can warn a side before you have to send someone, Craig Joubert failed to discipline anyone, and when it came to the crunch didn’t have the heart to make a tough and decisive decision.
Pocock missed
David Pocock’s impact at the breakdown in both attack and defence was missed.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.