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The Wallabies have been taught a rugby lesson by an energised England, suffering one of their worst ever defeats to the old enemy, 35-18 at Twickenham. England out-enthused the Australians, who showed again there is a flip side to the unpredictable flamboyance of their talented backs.
The 17-point defeat equalled the margin of losses in 1973 and 1976, while the 35 points conceded were the most ever by an Australian side to England.
The much-vaunted scrummaging battle barely eventuated as an adventurous England threw the ball wide and counter-attacked at every opportunity in good conditions in London.
Winger Chris Ashton bagged a double for the home side, while electric Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale also scored two.
But it was England five-eighth Toby Flood who proved the difference, capitalising on his side’s absolute dominance to boot nine from nine for a personal haul of 25 points, bettering Jonny Wilkinson’s record of 22 by an Englishman against Australia.
By contrast, Australia’s goalkicking woes continued with winger James O’Connor, who took over the duties from Matt Giteau last week, managing just three goals from seven attempts.
“Two tries apiece but clearly England deserved their win,” Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said.
“A couple of critical moments where we were building pressure and it looked like a return for that was imminent and we turned over ball and England scored at the other end on two occasions.
“That was essentially the difference in the game.
“But England played very well.”
Australia’s defence and composure fell in a heap while the horror show continued with halfback Will Genia leaving the field in the 48th minute with a rib injury.
England led 16-6 at the the break and Flood increased it to 19-6 with a penalty goal three minutes after halftime.
When the home side then went a spectacular 98m for Ashton to score his second try, Australia were as good as gone at 26-6.
But an equally brilliant effort from Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale gave them some hope.
With Australia bumbling their way forward, Beale split the defence 40m out, chipped and won the race to dive over and score in the 54th minute.
Flood increased England’s lead to 29-13 three minutes later before Beale scored, and O’Connor missed, again.
A 70th minute penalty goal to Flood made it 32-18 and England passed that record-equalling points haul against Australia with another penalty from the No.10 in the 77th.
“We got that go-forward and that momentum,” Johnson said.
“The counter-attack was also sharp and we made good decisions and got to the edge when there was space to go there.”
Earlier, England had scored the only try of the first half through Ashton to lead 10-0 before O’Connor finally landed one on his fourth attempt in the 32nd minute to claw it back to seven points difference.
Flood stretched it out to 16-3 with penalties in the 34th and 38th minute before O’Connor narrowed the gap on the stroke of halftime.
The Wallabies’ run of two straight Test victories – and three consecutive wins away from home – is over and, with it, their dreams of an unbeaten spring tour.
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.