England were stunned once again by late drama as Australia produced a gutsy 83rd-minute try to inflict a second consecutive Autumn Internationals defeat on Steve Borthwick’s men.
At times the home side’s defence was ripped to shreds by their unfancied opponents, missing 35 tackles in a shoddy performance.
Things could have been different. Two tries from Chandler Cunningham-South gave the hosts a healthy lead inside 12 minutes but Tom Wright and Harry Wilson both dived over the line for Australia which, along with a penalty, gave them the half-time lead.
Then, much like last week, second-half chaos dismantled England as Fraser McReight and Andrew Kellaway scores came either side of an Ollie Sleightholme double to give the Wallabies a late lead. When Maro Itoje’s 78th-minute effort put the hosts in front they were on the cusp of victory only to have their hearts broken by Max Jorgensen’s winner in the dying seconds.
Mail Sport’s ALEX BYWATER was at Allianz Stadium to pick out the best and worst of the two sides in a rollercoaster encounter.
England slumped to another late defeat at Twickenham after a string of second-half tries
A Max Jorgensen effort in the 93rd minute gave Australia a fifth try and broke English hearts
The drama meant Harry Wilson could hold the trophy and celebrate a first win here since 2015
England
George Furbank – 4.5
Quiet. Didn’t necessarily do much wrong, but didn’t stand out either. Replaced by George Ford with Marcus Smith moving to full-back.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – 5
Was eventually the man told to leave the field for a head injury assessment after a mix-up over which England player had taken the blow. Returned but then suffered another injury in the second half.
Ollie Lawrence – 6.5
Wore 13 but defended at inside centre initially. Immediately more involved than last week, racing on to a Marcus Smith kick. Also forced off for a head injury.
Henry Slade – 5
He is the man in charge of England’s blitz defence, but it was cut to ribbons far too often by some razor-sharp Australian attack.
Tommy Freeman – 4.5
Unfortunately, he looked a touch off the pace. Never stopped working but had a good chance for first-half try.
Ollie Lawrence was more involved than last weekend as he defended at inside centre
Henry Slade was cut to ribbons far too often by some razor-sharp Australian attack
Marcus Smith led a much-improved England attack, especially in the first 20 minutes
Marcus Smith – 8
Led a much-improved England attack, especially in the first 20. Great kicks created tries. Switched to No 15 but couldn’t drive his team over the line.
Ben Spencer – 5
He looked like he’d done enough to stop Australian lock Jeremy Williams from scoring, but the try was given.
Ellis Genge – 5.5
Stood still at one point with ball in hand, such was the breathless nature of the first 20. Went well on the whole.
Jamie George (capt) – 6
He was everywhere in the opening quarter, popping up in the loose as well as the tight. But he couldn’t stop Australia fighting back before giving way.
Will Stuart – 6
Bizarrely, he was sick on the pitch after emerging for the second half. But went well against New Zealand and showed up with two nice early carries. Promising autumn so far.
Maro Itoje – 7
Good source of line-out possession and tidy work from restarts too. Thought he’d won it with close-range try late on.
George Martin – 5
Not his usual self. Australia’s high-tempo game didn’t allow him to get close to gold shirts and make the sort of tackles he normally does.
Tommy Freeman looked a touch off the pace but never stopped working
Jamie George was everywhere in the opening quarter, popping up in the loose and the tight
Maro Itoje, left, was a good source of line-out possession and tidy work from restarts too
Chandler Cunningham-South – 7
Finished easy early try and marked score with Cole Palmer-style celebration. Was then caught offside but responded with second try.
Tom Curry – 6
Showed nice hands, alongside his fellow forwards, to set-up Cunningham-South’s first. But was then knocked out in contact tackling Rob Valetini. It is such a worry to see him keep taking severe head blows.
Ben Earl – 6
Showed impressive pace to stay with Wallaby wing Dylan Pietsch. Swapped between flanker and No 8 when Alex Dombrandt came on.
Replacements: Ollie Sleightholme 7.5 (for Feyi-Waboso 21-31), Alex Dombrandt 5.5 (for Curry 23), Ollie Sleightholme 7.5 (for Lawrence 35-41), Ollie Sleightholme 7.5 (for Feyi-Waboso 51), Luke Cowan-Dickie 6.5 (for George 52), Nick Isiekwe 5 (for Martin 60), George Ford 5.5 (for Furbank 62), Fin Baxter 5.5 (for Genge 62), Harry Randall 5 (for Spencer 62), Dan Cole 5 (for Stuart 68)
Australia
Tom Wright – 8
He’s a very dangerous runner in space. Scored his team’s first and broke clear at the start of the second half.
Andrew Kellaway – 8
Penalised for not releasing the man at the breakdown. A key Australian figure, he raced away for crucial late score when an England attack broke down.
Joseph Sua’ali’i – 9
Remarkably, player of the match on his first game of professional rugby union. Did brilliantly to create Wright’s try by getting outside Ollie Sleightholme. Offloaded for fun and was great in the air. He looks like he’ll be an unreal player.
Tom Wright scored his team’s first try and broke clear at the start of the second half
Andrew Kellaway raced away for crucial late score when an England attack broke down
Len Ikitau – 7.5
Good combinations with the men either side of him. Australia have dangerous runners and he helped unleash them.
Dylan Pietsch – 6.5
He was involved in one fine Australian counterattack which showed what they can do. Showed plenty of pace before giving way for Max Jorgensen who scored the winner.
Noah Lolesio – 7.5
Very calm, impressive display from No 10. Wasn’t flashy but led a wonderful Wallaby attack.
Jake Gordon – 7.5
Found himself covered in blood after strong first-half display. His temporary replacement Tate McDermott did very well to create second Australian score.
Angus Bell – 8.5
A monster carry saw him send Curry flying through the air. It was part of an impressive opening that simply never ended. Huge display.
Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i was player of the match on his first game of professional rugby union
Angus Bell was part of an impressive opening that simply never ended. Huge display
Matt Faessler – 7
Australian line-out went well. Crucially, he was part of a Wallaby forward pack that more than held their own.
Taniela Tupou – 5
The ‘Tongan Thor’ didn’t have it all his own way at scrum time. Nearly went through a gap to score but replaced early in the second half.
Nick Frost – 6.5
Had his hands full with Itoje, but it wasn’t a one-way contest as the Australian had plenty of good moments.
Jeremy Williams – 7.5
Showed brilliant athleticism for a lock forward to score in the corner, finishing a great team move in acrobatic fashion.
Rob Valetini – 8.5
He stands out because of his hair, but his performance was also a cut above. Really physical with his carrying. A dominant figure.
Fraser McReight – 7.5
Dogged display. Linked the game nicely and had plenty of good moments.
Rob Valentini stands out because of his hair, but his performance was also a cut above
Harry Wilson got through a mountain of work as he led from the front
Harry Wilson (capt) – 8
Wallaby skipper had one early gallop. Got through a mountain of work as he led from the front. Australia did just enough even after he departed.
Replacements: Tate McDermott 7.5 (for Gordon 33-41), Allan Alaalatoa 7.5 (for Tupou 46), Max Jorgensen 8 (for Pietsch 48), Brandon Paenga-Amosa 7 (for Faessler 60), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 6.5 (for Williams 60) Tate McDermott 7.5 (for Gordon 64), Langi Gleeson 6 (for Wilson 65), James Slipper 6.5 (for Bell 71), Ben Donaldson 7.5 (for Lolesio 71)
Scorers
England Tries: Cunningham-South 5, 12, Sleightholme 57, 68, Itoje 79Cons: Smith 13, 69, 80Pens: Smith 19, 31
Australia Tries: Wright 27, Wilson 34, Williams 50, Kellaway 76, Jorgensen 80+4Cons: Lolesio 27, 34, Donaldson 77, 80+4Pens: Lolesio 10, 40+2, 54
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Attendance: 81,329
Star man: Joseph Sua’ali’i (Australia)
