Late sin-binning lets Malins in for his shot at glory

MAX Malins kicked a penalty one minute from time to deny Australia at the death and ensure England would advance to the semi-finals unbeaten.

Trailing 16-3 after only 20 minutes, it looked like the reigning champions would have to settle for second place in the pool and a semi-final against this season’s firm favourites, New Zealand.

They managed to claw their way back into the contest with tries from Gabriel Ibitoye and Marcus Street, and when Harry JohnsonHolmes was yellow carded for a tip tackle on Ben Earl moments from the end, Malins stepped in to clinch it from 40 metres.

England forwards coach Louis Deacon said: “You’ve got to give the guys huge credit, they know how to win games.

“They stuck with it and experience got us through. They were outstanding.”

Harrison Goddard and Theo Brophy-Clews exchanged early penalties before Australia conjured up the first try after good work from the pack.

The tight-five marched into Engand’s 22 and centre Sione Tuipulotu was on hand to dive over. Goddard converted and slotted two further penalties to open a 13-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

England had to react and they did so in style.

Ibitoye hit first with an outragous one-handed finish in the left corner which Malins converted expertly from the touchline to bring England back to within six points.

It stayed that way until the break but, ten minutes into the second half, England got in front when Marcus Street barged over from a powerful driving maul. Malins converted.

Harry Nucifora needed two attempts to edge Australia in front again from the tee with eight minutes to go.

However England would not be denied and after Johnson-Holmes’ sin-binning, Malins split the posts to earn a semi-final spot against South Africa.