Dylan is all smiles after Oz whitewash
AUSTRALIA 40 ENGLAND 44
ENGLAND concluded a glorious season by completing a 3- 0 series whitewash of Australia at the Allianz Stadium yesterday.
A thrilling third Test saw the lead repeatedly change hands and the try-count read 5-4 in the hosts’ favour, but it was the kicking of Owen Farrell that ultimately proved the difference.
He amassed 24 points through six penalties and three conversions, earning him the man of the match award.
Dan Cole, Mike Brown, Billy Vunipola and Jamie George crossed for the tourists and this was comfortably their best attacking display of the series, inflicting upon Australia their first 3-0 series defeat since 1971.
England’s record under Eddie Jones is becoming remarkable with the rout of the Wallabies, who reached the final of last autumn’s World Cup, delivered a mere three months after the Grand Slam.
Jones has yet to taste defeat in his nine matches in charge and the Red Rose have extended their triumphant sequence to 10 wins, just four short of the record set during Clive Woodward’s reign.
Once more Jones displayed his ruthless streak, withdrawing Teimana Harrison after only 31 minutes. Harrison was winning his second cap after James Haskell had been ruled out by a foot injury, but Jones clearly did not like what he was seeing from the openside so brought on Courtney Lawes with Maro Itoje switching to six.
Australia came under early pressure. Jack Nowell was influential with a dart down the right wing and Vunipola made inroads as a midfield battering ram as George Ford attacked the line with intent.
Australia cracked in the 11th minute, a carry from Mako Vunipola scattering defenders before Ben Youngs slipped the scoring pass out of the tackle to Cole.
The Wallabies’ response was immediate with a defensive lapse from Nowell enabling Israel Folau to roam down the left touchline and there were gold shirts queuing up in support until Bernard Foley strolled over.
Australia capitalised on the tourists’ fragile tackling to plunder their second try after quick hands let wing Dane Haylett-Petty in.
A Farrell penalty, steadied English nerves but Foley replied in kind.
Second row Matt Skelton was penalised for a dangerous tackle on Anthony Watson and England took the lead.
Watson chipped infield for Brown to touch down after riding a desperate late tackle from Tevita Kuridrani.
It was England’s turn to score a simple try five minutes into the second half when a five-metre scrum saw Billy Vunipola collect and surge over the whitewash.
Michael Hooper was slow to react and was still fixed to the scrum as Vunipola used his power to blast across the line. However, he atoned after a spell of pressure from the Wallabies ended with the openside taking a short pass from Nick Phipps to touch down.
Australia were back in front when Matt Toomua darted between Vunipola and Jack Clifford and slipped to Folau to cross.
There was an element of farce about England’s next try as a succession of errors from both teams ended with Danny Care passing to the feet of George, who saw the ball bounce off his shin, enabling him to cross.
In contrast to the second Test, when Australia repeatedly refused shots at goal in favour of attacking line-outs, they were only too happy to take the points and Foley sent one between the uprights.
England’s lead was only six points, but Itoje forced a late penalty and Farrell was put the result beyond doubt, although Taqele Naiyaravoro fell over the line in stoppage time to give the Aussies the final say.
England captain Dylan Hartley hailed a monumental effort from his side.
“We put everything into it, and I am proud of how the guys conducted themselves. We have made history,” he said.
“Australia threw everything at us, but it was great character by the guys to hang in there and close it out at the end
“We can all be proud of what we have achieved Down Under.”
Australia captain Stephen Moore admitted his side had been second best throughout the series, saying: “To England’s credit they played well. They deserve to win the series.”