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?
Bakkies
Guest
Just as long as Trevor Hohns isn't called up for an outside opinion.
Bakkies
Guest
Too many
Bakkies
Guest
English, Wales, Scottish and Irish players have been playing in a 52 week stretch that goes back to the RWC warm ups and finished yesterday. The Irish players have said as much. It's all on the website the42.ie 'to put thngs in numbers – ITOJE has played 26 games for england and saracens and is yet to lose. ” England’s triumph in Sydney was Itoje’s 26th start and 26th win for club and country, in a season where he won the Premiership and Champions Cup with Saracens and a Grand Slam and Test series with England, and also was named European Player of the Year. “ That is without playing in the RWC.
Bakkies
Guest
Nige said Hooper's work was fine it was Phipps playing the half back that led to the penalty.
Bakkies
Guest
TWAS, 20+ caps suggests otherwise is not an argument. That's like saying that Al Baxter getting 50 plus caps suggests otherwise. We all knew he was terrible at scrummaging.
Bakkies
Guest
Johnno, Deans lost to Samoa and Scotland at home
double agent
Guest
There's a lot of talk on here about getting rid of Foley and Phipps. I think they're both good players. There's not many 9s as tough as Phipps and Foley can be brilliant. Sadly they often make mistakes. The problem with getting rid of them is who do you replace them with? Especially Foley. There's not a 10 out there putting his hand up. We used to have so many 10s it was embarrassing. I remember at one point we had Mark Ella,Michael Lynagh,Brett Papworth and Stephen James. Foley is the man at the moment and to be fair he's better than some we've had.
A.O.Tear Rower
Guest
Huh? Not sure what you are getting at there but I think he will include Mitchell, Genia and Giteau.
A.O.Tear Rower
Guest
Hes in the team for his all around game. Hes tackles, runs, he links, he hits rucks.
A.O.Tear Rower
Guest
You forgot to say "despite what Deans, McKenzie and Cheika think and despite what people that decide awards think, I think...". Heres what I think. Gill is an excellent player but he is 4th or 5th in the pcking order behind arguably better players. I also think Hooper was Australias player of the series.
A.O.Tear Rower
Guest
No. Hes generalising about a group of people who chose to make a political decision for their own reasons. He doesnt agree and has made them into a monster he thinks we can be perseuded to rally against. Looks like he perseuded you though. Hes not judging people on their actions. Hes trying to tell us why they made those decisions and doing it in quite an imature way by demonising those he disagrees with.
A.O.Tear Rower
Guest
Until it was worked out? You are being serious? You do know that every backrow ever has been outplayed right? You do know that Aus in general was outplayed in the WC final right? I think that is your honest opinion and you are entitled to it but if you will indulge me, I think its its ridiculous to suggest its been "figured out" because theyve been outplayed once or twice. Do you think that a combo has been "figured out" everytime it gets "outplayed"? I bet you dont and its only because of your original bias against the idea that youve drawn this conclusion.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah that's fine jimmy, come back when you learn more about the game itself. All I've learned from your comments and things like choking on sour grapes, quitting while behind, faceless internet voices, bogans and other useless topics. And that's just this article. you won't win the title that way champ.? All good.
northerner
Guest
Too bad the young people weren't incensed enough to actually vote. If they had been, it might have swung the other way.
JimmyB
Guest
Your lack of self awareness has always staggered me. You are a hypocrite of the highest order.
JimmyB
Guest
With respect Taylorman, I won't take any lessons on class from you mate, you are severely lacking.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
They were very good up until the strategy was worked out. As a trio they were outplayed in their last two tests together primarily to tactics being used to nullify the positives & expose the compromises the team has to have to play them together.
A.O.Tear Rower
Guest
SH help? You mean Aus help. Just like NZ had Aus help from 2005 with Mike Byrne as skills coach Eng have followed NZs lead and employed an Aus coach this year. Dont try and take credit for Australian rugby ability because they are in the same hemisphere as NZ.
A.O.Tear Rower
Guest
Answer to what? Q. Who am I...I was the luckiest coach to ever win a world cup. My style of play is considered cynical, predictable and boring. I once agreed to coach a Super Rugby side but only as a means to get myself into contention for an international coaching gig. I then ditched that Super Rugby team as soon as I learned the international job was not an option. I am... A. Jake White. Is that what hes the answer to?
A.O.Tear Rower
Guest
The southern hemisphere needs it? Why, are we having a 'hemisphere of origin' match? I think its far more important for rugby that the NH teams compete well in the SH and, being from NZ, I dont want SA or Aus to win anymore than I do Ireland or Wales. Why would I, NZs my team and no other team is even if we do share a hemisphere. If I do have 2nd team its Ireland. Is that bad?