- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Five tries for the Wallabies weren’t enough to see them take a win against England in this Cook Cup Test series, going down 44-40 in the third and final game.
England punished Australia at every available opportunity, with Owen Farrell kicking 9 goals from 10 attempts, including six penalty goals to give England their first ever whitewash of a Test series on Australian soil.
More of the wash-up from Wallabies vs England
» Five talking points from the match
» England whitewashes the Wallabies
» DIY Player Ratings
» Roar Forum: Wallabies to-do list for the Rugby Championship
» How hard does a Wallabies forward hit?
» Re-live the match with our live blog
» WATCH: The full match highlights
The Wallabies will be happy about their improved performance in attack, as both backs and forwards played with heightened intensity from the opening exchanges.
Matt Toomua controlled things well in midfield, and Israel Folau scored a try in one of his best performances in a Wallabies’ jumper in some times.
Michael Cheika will be less pleased with the game management of Australia at crucial times, with the Wallabies unable to exit their half without making mistakes either kicking out of hand or in possession. England were much more clinical in this department, making sure of their long kicks.
Referee Nigel Owens made one crucial call at the end of the game, penalising the Wallabies for taking out the halfback despite Australia looking to have secured possession through effective counter ruck.
It proved decisive, as Farrell again booted England clear, and even Taqele Naiyaravoro touching down after the siren couldn’t have levelled things up for the Wallabies.
Owens had a good game on the whole, though many Wallabies fans would feel aggrieved by this particular call.
It was, without doubt, the most complete attacking performance from the Wallabies.
Bernard Foley got them on the board after Dan Cole had strolled over earlier for England off the back of a clever run from Mako Vunipola.
Foley’s try came off a break from Israel Folau, who passed inside to Toomua who offloaded to Foley, and it was locked up at 7-7.
Folau again turned provider for Dane Haylett-Petty, who scored his first Test try in the right corner to give the Wallabies a five-point lead.
Mike Brown was the next to score after the teams had exchanged penalties, sliding over after a good chip ahead.
A penalty saw Australia go into the break in the lead, but a very soft try to Billy Vunipola off the back of a scrum had England back in the lead.
Michael Hooper got a good try off the back of some impressive lead-up work, but penalties followed and Farrell kept draining them.
A try from Israel Folau after a great break from Matt Toomua again had the Wallabies up, but a penalty and then the scrappiest of tries to replacement Jamie George put England ahead. More penalties followed, one to each side, and then in 78th minute the decisive decision, which meant England led by nine with two minutes.
Game set and match.
Australia’s backrow was terrific, in particular Sean McMahon and Michael Hooper. For England, the boots of Farrell and George Ford really were the story, with Ben Youngs also energetic. All three showed the poise that won England this game.
In the end the nine penalties conceded by the Wallabies was the crucial factor. With six of them within kicking range for radar-boot Farrell, Cheika will be disappointed his side couldn’t get a win despite scoring more tries.
Eddie Jones and his England team leave happy, with three from three, but Michael Cheika will be shaking his head.
What did you make of the game Roarers?
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.