A TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE AUSSIES
All Blacks still to be conquered, but this is an epic series triumph by Eddie Jones’ men
AS THEY stood on the field with their Cook Cup, their whitewash and their historic glory, England’s players were almost too exhausted to celebrate, let alone take in the magnitude of what they had done.
Once the dust had settled on a pulsating, record-breaking classic of a Test match, the national team were still seeking to sidestep the spectre of triumphalism, despite the sheer scale of their epic feats. Put simply, this was the second greatest achievement in all the years the English have been engaged in this sport. Only the World Cup victory by Sir Clive Woodward’s immortals in 2003 sits higher in the pantheon.
So although such valiant modesty and perfectionism serves a purpose in the bigger picture of the Red Rose quest to overhaul the All Blacks, it can be temporarily ignored by all those on the outside looking in at this quite staggering salvage operation. From the depths of the World Cup debacle, it has been a phoenix-from-the-ashes rise.
Where to start. Nine wins in a row under Jones, to leave England on a run of 10 consecutive victories — only four short of their national record, set by Woodward’s icons. The most points they have ever scored against a southern hemisphere superpower away from home.
The first time the Wallabies have been whitewashed since the Springboks did it to them in 1971. A Grand Slam, a rout of the World Cup finalists and a climb to No 2 in the global rankings. Dylan Hartley emerging as favourite for the Lions captaincy. Other players nudging towards the elusive world-class category, not least Owen Farrell, Billy Vunipola and Maro Itoje.
On the basis of that large bundle of majestic exploits, all the post-match talk of defensive lapses and individuals falling short of expectations can be taken with a colossal pinch of salt. Yet, Jones was determined to set a tone of guarded satisfaction.
‘We weren’t at our best, we had a number of players sub-par, but it was a fantastic effort to beat a very good and determined Australia side,’ said the head coach. ‘We’re pleased with the 3-0 result but we realise we’ve got a lot of work to do. We’re inconsistent in our defence. We have had two poor games in defence and one very good game.
‘It’s a great start for us but only a start. If we’re going to be the best team in the world, we need to be much more consistent and we’ll work very hard to get that over the next three years. We’re not happy with our performance, even though we’re happy with the result.’
However, Jones did concede that his team had reached an historic peak, just seven months after he took over from Stuart Lancaster.
‘Very few sides beat Australia in Australia,’ he said. ‘The All Blacks do but there aren’t too many others. We’ve not only beaten Australia, we’ve beaten them 3-0 and it’s the first time they’ve been whitewashed since South Africa did it in 1971.’
This was a staggering result, founded in part on another illustration of Jones’s ruthlessness. In the 31st minute, he took off rookie Northampton back-rower Teimana Harrison to unleash another Saints forward, Courtney Lawes, who went on to have a major impact. The same fate had befallen Luther Burrell in Brisbane a fortnight earlier.
This was a fast-and-loose thriller, utterly at odds with the stodgy clash in Melbourne last week. There was relentless ebb and flow. Frankly, it was merry mayhem. The lead changed hands with bewildering regularity. In the chaos, the Vunipola brothers, Mako and Billy, once again gave the visitors clout and momentum, while Dan Cole and Itoje also stood out in a Herculean pack effort to quell the Australian resistance.
Farrell rattled up 24 points with nine successful kicks at goal out of 10, but there was also English craft and finesse at times in this series finale — led by a noticeably liberated George Ford. Four tries were testament to greater tempo and precision in attack, although squandering other chances and conceding five tries to the Wallabies handed Jones and his assistants ample ammunition to focus tired minds.
There was no pattern to the turbulent proceedings from the 11th minute, when Cole crossed from close range for his third Test try. England’s second try on the halfhour stemmed from Anthony Watson’s chip ahead and Mike Brown’s utter determination to touch down despite being tackled by the mighty Tevita Kuridrani.
In the meantime, Bernard Foley — the executioner-in-chief when England were dispatched from their own World Cup last autumn — crossed at the other end to start a 20-point haul. The Wallabies struck again before the break when Foley and Israel Folau combined to tee up Dane Haylett-Petty on the right wing and Michael Cheika’s men went into half-time 18-17 up.
After that, the pendulum kept on swinging in front of an enthralled record crowd for Sydney Football Stadium. Billy Vunipola crashed over from a scrum. England led. Michael Hooper scored for the Wallabies and it was all square again. Matt Toomua set up a try for Folau to suggest that the Australians were seizing control. Not so. Farrell’s boot kept it tight, then the visitors earned a lucky break as a pass from Danny Care bounced off Jamie George’s leg, over the line and the hooker pounced to touch down. Farrell’s conversion and last penalty seemingly settled it, only for Taqele Naiyaravoro to cross in injury time.
England go home with thunderous momentum and belief. The way the Red Rose juggernaut is rumbling on, there is every chance of an autumn clean sweep against South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and the Wallabies. That would leave them on 14 consecutive wins and complete a 100 per cent return in the calendar year.
The world-record sequence of 17 wins would then be vulnerable at the next Six Nations. That is a long leap ahead but English confidence and conviction have been restored to a level not seen since 2003.
To hell with caution; what a sixmonth journey, what a coach, what a squad and what an astonishing tour.