England defeat Aussies
England have drawn first blood in the three-test series against Australia with a 39-28 defeat of the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium last night.
Europe’s Six Nations champions recovered from a 10-0 deficit to record their first-ever win over the Wallabies in Brisbane. Australia scored four tries to England’s three but a 24-point haul from Owen Farrell proved the difference.
It was Eddie Jones’ seventh win from seven games since taking over from England but this was arguably his sweetest, given it was achieved against the side he coached for four years more than a decade ago.
The home team looked set for victory when Australian first fiveeighths Bernard Foley broke through England’s line 29 minutes into the game but, instead of being 17-6 ahead, Cheika was literally left scratching his head when Foley’s effort was ruled out by the video referee for obstruction.
Wily Jones pounced, immediately withdrawing centre Luther Burrell for George Ford in a tactical switch that turned the match.
Within minutes, a penalty and then a Jonathan Joseph try for the visitors had swung the game decisively in England’s favour.
Joseph’s try was a victory for Jones’ military style of coaching, maximising an opportunity handed to them as Cheika’s instinctive Wallabies came unstuck.
Israel Folau’s long pass about 30m out from Australia’s tryline was spilt by Foley and then debutant Samu Kerevi couldn’t regain possession, allowing the English centre to gather the ball and score.
England dominated before and after halftime on the back of their tactical switch before the Wallabies came back hard. But another loose carry by the Australians in the final minute provided England with the opportunity to seal the match through Jack Nowell.
Throughout the build-up to the test, Jones continually referred to Cheika as the best coach in the world. It now seems the Australian mentor will have to live up to that tag if he’s to turn this series around next weekend in Melbourne. Australia 28 (M. Hooper 2, I Folau, T Kuridrani tries; B Foley con, 2 pens) England 39 (J. Joseph, J. Nowell, M. Yarde tries; Owen Farrell 3 cons, 6 pens). Halftime: 13-19. — AAP