The Wallabies have defeated Rugby World Cup hosts England 33-13 at Twickenham to book their spot in the quarter finals of the tournament.
Flyhalf Bernard Foley and number 8 David Pocock, among others, were the stars for Australia as they put in a scintillating first 40 minutes to get over the hosts at their cauldron for the first time since 2012.
Foley scored 28 points, kicking six from six and scoring two tries in a standout performance.
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The win gives the Wallabies three wins from three and puts them on 13 points on the ladder, which is unassailable for England, whose tournament is now over.
Scrummaging was also a feature, with Australia banishing the ghosts of games past at Twickenham, earning penalty after penalty against the English scrum.
The first half was one of exceptional quality, with both teams putting plenty of phases together. Although it was Australia who were asked to do most of the tackling early, England were unable to force Australia into ill-discipline.
Only one penalty was given up within kicking range in the first half, from an England scrum penalty.
Perhaps surprisingly, much of the England attack was focussed on playing through the backs, with plenty of metres being made in open play through the outside centre channel.
The English seemed to make metres at will whenever they kept the ball in hand, particularly straight off set piece.
But Australia absorbed the pressure – refusing to give away penalties, and continuing to make around the bootlace tackles when it mattered.
Bernard Foley was the beneficiary of the Wallabies’ strong play in response, crossing the stripe twice to have all of Australia’s points in the opening 40.
His first five-pointer was a numbers play to the right, and a right-foot step was enough to see him beat the England line and carry fullback Mike Brown over the line.
His second try was a perfectly worked inside ball to Kurtley Beale on a switch play,
David Pocock resumed in the second half as he did the first – a turnover after Mike Brown made a half break to defuse what looked like a dangerous situation for England.
Playing at number 8, it again proved to be a fantastic combination in tandem with Michael Hooper, who injected plenty of energy into attack and defence for the Wallabies.
The scrum, too, was a feature for the Wallabies, earning them three penalties in the space of 30 minutes just before and just after half time, with Joe Marler warned and subsequently replaced for illegal scrummaging.
Replacements for England seemed to be the turning point in the game, as the momentum shifted towards the home side.
A try to Anthony Watson was the result of some very patient build-up work, and was good reward for a strong period of play.
They continued to press the issue on the Wallabies, who started to make mistakes under pressure. Some poor passes from Nick Phipps, a poor lineout and some errors in contact were out of character from the Wallabies, who had been so measured and patient in the first 50 minutes.
Concerningly, Israel Folau left the field for Australia with an ankle injury, who had also lost Rob Horne in the first half.
But the Wallabies worked themselves into field position, earned a penalty through a tackle off the ball against Matt Giteau. A puzzling yellow card was also issued, but it allowed the Wallabies to kick ten points ahead with nine minutes to play.
An 80th minute try to Giteau after a series of turnovers put the icing on the cake.
The Wallabies are through. England are out.
Mike
Guest
Complete rubbish. Both players hinged - try LOOKING at the game. But Sio was going first because he had his weight too far forward, and he was the one who broke his bind. He was rightly penalised.
Well
Guest
Poite had a good game, but because he recognized the boring in of the English prop this time doesn't mean it didn't happen before and either couldn't pick it or chose to ignore it. To say he did well this time dies not make other games perfect. I'm sure even Bryce Lawrence had a good game once.
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
Kuridrani was left defending the whole game and used a bit too many times as a dummy runner..he desrves better, i think he missed only 2 tackles but was involved in every breakdown so a good game by him...get him more ball and he will perform...he is fijian, they perform better when they get more balls..
Max Power
Guest
Then don't pass it to someone who clearly is retreating and not in the right position. And Bennalong, it's both Phipps and the forwards responsibility for them to be ready. Phipps is the fittest player in the Wallabies squad and had been on the field a couple of minutes, there is no way in the world he can expect the forwards to be ready to receive the ball every time he is ready to pass it.
Max Power
Guest
Yes because Cooper is responsible for the forwards performance...
JimmyB
Guest
He didn't say that Australia were rubbish. He, I and most of the world thought that England had a better scrum PRIOR to the tournament and whilst it will sound ridiculous if I was picking a combined team then the ratio would still favour England. It simply can't be overstated how important Pocock is to Australia. If he was playing for England, it's not unreasonable to suggest that the match could have unfolded very differently, he's really that good. Also, having a player like Giteau at 12 can't be understated. Despite the blowout scoreline, it's still fine margins at the top level. Probably most importantly though is the relative impact of the coaching teams. Chieka and his, absolutely schooled Lancaster and his.
SP
Guest
No, he just kept re-iterating that Australia were rubbish..........that England had a superior scrum, infinitely superior backs and that perhaps only 1 or 2 Wallabies would make the English side. He wasn't alone though. There were other self proclaimed "experts" who confidently said the same things.....looking at you Not Bothered.
Well
Guest
Phil, for a pompous pom you should check your grammar and spelling - threw not through
Well
Guest
Phil O, I agree he is very sad. Having to admit not being an Aussie is tough at the moment.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
You really have no idea how you come across do you?
Ted
Roar Rookie
Well , an " I was there moment" -the face wide grin on Cheikas face as we closed out with a try - and the enthusiastic tribute by the players to the hysterical Aussie fan pods around ground. Personally acknowledging everyone - and climbing into stand for friend selfies. What a night to be an Aussie. !! Personally I was confident about the scrum all along as England looked a shadow of former self v France and Ireland. But it was our relentless tackling and holding quickly our defensive lines that took game away from England. They had no answer. We were just short of a pack of rabid dogs protecting their young.!! The excitement of attack success - KB on BF shoulder to Genias reverse pass and KBs perfect timing on run and pass was sublime. kB taking his opportunity for game time, has consistently showed the best vision since Tim Horan and must start - even on wing. But the tackling - by everyone - relentless . This is only way to shake All Blacks and even Georgia showed how a real Pack of relentless dogs can upset the AB play machine - bring them on !!
PeterK
Roar Guru
OJ - I was giving the guy credit and thats what you have a go about? I don't talk up the wallabies before games and say how they will smash the other team or most of the wallaby players are better than the other team so what do I have to front up for? Nor did I rub it in when the wallabies won the RC.
Logan
Roar Rookie
Things I liked/noticed 1) Giteau's cleaning up and cover defence. I was never sure why we got him back but his defence and cover was amazing. 2) Hooper set the tone with the tackle on Farrell in he first minutes. 3) Beale just has opposition defences panicking. 4) Foley's defence means Quade can never be considered again.
ScotandProud
Guest
Du Plessis in the earlier game v Scotland.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
He asked the TMO for his recommendation and the TMO recommended a yellow. At no point was he hesitant to penalise England.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
The guts to front up? Says the guy who goes into hiding whenever the Wallabies lose.
PeterK
Roar Guru
very good post
PeterK
Roar Guru
a knighthood perhaps when he retires
PeterK
Roar Guru
JimmyB - Agree with you there
PeterK
Roar Guru
and a little harsh on the wallabies sometimes, agreeing that a little harsh on england sometimes as well. Also lenient to both teams sometimes as well.