England vs Australia LIVE: Rugby result, final score and reaction from 2021 Autumn internationals
Eddie Jones extended his win streak over his native country as England ground down a stubborn Wallabies side
England chalked up an eighth successive victory over Australia on Saturday as tries for Freddie Steward and Jamie Blamire and the pinpoint goalkicking of Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith settled a penalty-ridden game 32-15 for the hosts.
England made most of the running in the first half and scored a superb try through fullback Steward after seven minutes but as both teams conceded a succession of penalties, Farrell and James O’Connor punished each other from the tee to keep it tight at 16-12 at halftime. The ragged, indisciplined nature continued in the second half Australia were hit with two yellow cards in the game - with neither side really threatening the tryline but England still in the ascendancy.
Farrell, winning his 100th cap for England and the Lions, went off injured after landing five penalties and a conversion but Smith added another penalty to stretch the lead before replacement hooker Blamire sent the home fans wild when he galloped in from 60 metres in the final minute.
England have now won all eight of their games against the Wallabies, who conceded 18 penalties, since they lost to them in the pool phase to be knocked out of the 2015 World Cup.
“We stuck at it,” said coach Eddie Jones. “We’ve had a tough week. Two Covid, Kyle Sinckler was injured in the first 10 minutes of the match - he was incapacitated. Australia have been in a bubble since June, so congrats to them for staying in it.”
England 25-15 Australia, 75 minutes
Another England change and this will necessitate another change of captain. Courtney Lawes is replaced by Sam Simmonds, and Tom Curry takes over as chief point of contact as Australia feed a scrum.
The Wallabies win a free kick and tap quickly, but a dreadful grubber is picked up by an offside player and Jaco Peyper has his arm up again. England penalty, and as the time ticks by you’d say that is probably that for Australia’s chances. Henry Slade pushes the penalty down towards the 22.
England 25-15 Australia, 73 minutes
Tom Robertson has come on fo Australia and is taken man and ball as he tries to swivel away a pass, just about clinging on.
The two sides exchange kicks, as they have done for much of this half. Raffi Quirke goes underground as he lands after clutching one ball tumbling from the heavens, cleverly avoiding a heavy contact.
Australia try something more adventurous, a chip that lands in open pasture, but eventually Freddie Steward grasps it. That’s poor, though - a skew straight out with acres and acres of space in to which he could have prodded the ball and Australia will have a lineout inside the England half.
PENALTY! ENGLAND 25-15 Australia (Marcus Smith penalty, 72 minutes)
Before Smith has his shot at goal, an England debut for Raffi Quirke. He’s on at scrum-half, arriving at the party together with Trevor Davison and Will Stuart as England also swap props.
Here’s Smith’s kick - it’s over! England lead by ten.
England 22-15 Australia, 71 minutes
There is still a disrupted feel to this contest. Australia have barely had a sniff of a try but with a seven-point margin, one clean break and they could be level. England thus play the percentages - Ben Youngs booting as far as he possibly can as he box kicks ball away.
Hang on, England have a penalty, too! Nic White protests his innocence but the moustachioed scrum-half has clearly stepped across Max Malins as he chases. White is still arguing even as the footage on the big screen confirms it. Marcus Smith has taken over kicking duties and will look to put England out of the reach of a single score...
England 22-15 Australia, 68 minutes
Trouble for England - Owen Farrell is limping off! Very, very slowly, too - he doesn’t look in a good way at all.
Max Malins replaces him, presumably taking Manu Tuilagi’s spot on the wing as Tuilagi re-familiarises himself with his more conventional midfield home. Courtney Lawes takes the captaincy, and immediately questions Jaco Peyper as the referee awards a breakdown penalty the way of Australia.
England 22-15 Australia, 67 minutes
Impressive from Bevan Rodd! Another emphatic win of his individual battle at the scrum and another penalty awarded England’s way. 67 minutes in on debut and still making an impact - it’s been a solid opening performance from the 21-year-old.
England 22-15 Australia, 66 minutes
Australia throw a lineout quickly, the oval ball drifting invitingly on the autumnal evening air but into James O’Connor’s hands with just enough time for the fly-half to sprint away from an arriving Manu Tuilagi and lessen the force of the England wing’s hit.
O’Connor gets a good offload away and Rob Valetini has space into which he can sprint, but Marcus Smith just about grabs his shoelaces and Australia soon knock-on.
PENALTY! ENGLAND 22-15 Australia (Owen Farrell penalty, 65 minutes)
Owen Farrell is accurate on this occasion - his fifth three-pointer, and England extend their advantage.
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes: Alex Dombrandt is on permanently, with Sam Underhill’s return a short one, while Australia swap hookers - Tolu Latu, now France-based, makes his Wallabies return with Folau Fainga’a off.
England 19-15 Australia, 63 minutes
Before they can set it, Australia call for the enormous Will Skelton to lend some second row mass. Rory Arnold goes off.
It matters not - Bevan Rodd munches his man and draws a penalty advantage.
England kick crossfield...into Australian hands, and Freddie Steward is a touch lucky that the catcher lands safely as he rather bashes against them while still in the air.
England 19-15 Australia, 62 minutes
Australia concede a free kick at the lineout, though. Neither side has really found true flow in this half, plenty of scrappy, inaccurate stuff.
Marcus Smith sends the free kick for the moon, asking Manu Tuilagi to get after it, and Tuilagi makes the tackle.
There is space on the right for Australia, but a poor pass falls from the fingertips of Kurtley Beale, and England will now have fine attacking position and the scrum feed on the fringes of the Australia 22.
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