Autumn International Review - England 26 - 17 Australia

 

When England play Australia, two things always seem to happen.  Firstly, everybody gets in hyperbole mode regarding the supposed superiority of the English scrum and the brilliance of the Wallaby backline.  Secondly, everybody soils themselves in nerves, since these games tend to go down to the wire.  And usually, since this is international rugby after all, all predictions and assumptions go right out the window as soon as the first ball is kicked.  But on Saturday at Twickenham, as England got the game underway against the Wallabies, it soon became clear that all those assumptions – on dominance and on nerves – would, for once, prove correct.  Perhaps the bi-product of two sides desperate for a win after difficult Autumns.

If nervousness was on the menu, though, it certainly didn’t show in a frantic opening exchange which saw Bernard Foley and George Ford exchange penalties, with Johnny May and Anthony Watson having promising bursts down the flanks for the hosts.  The men in white were having the better of the territory early on, too, with Ben Youngs and George Ford kicking intelligently, and the scrumhalf was also proving a nightmare for his opposite number Nick Phipps, disrupting his ball out of the breakdown and sniping to good effect on a couple of occasions.  England soon deservedly took the lead after Mike Brown was blocked blatantly – and rather stupidly – by Ben McCalman when the Quins man was chasing his own kick, allowing Ford to slot 3 points, but Australia were looking dangerous in attack.  Indeed, the Twickenham faithful has Courtney Lawes to thank for a superb try saving tackle on Adam Ashley Cooper, as the experienced utility back sought to get on the outside of the Northampton lock with the line just 5 metres away.

Chances for both sides were coming thick and fast, though, and the next two both involved May and Brown – the first was a chance for the hosts, with Brown’s offload from the back of the hand just going over May’s head when the speedster had a clear run to the line, whilst the second showcased the improved defence from the Gloucester man as he and Brown shut down Henry Speight after the big winger had been set free down the right.  The Aussies were pressing and looked the more likely to score, but a superb turnover from captain Chris Robshaw changed the momentum of the game.

From their next possession, the hosts cleared into the Wallaby 22 where Israel Folau made a rare mistake, knocking on under no real pressure – although replays were inconclusive as to whether the ball actually went forwards.  From there though, the English front row got its first real shove of the day, earning a penalty advantage and providing front foot ball for Brad Barritt to crash onto and break the gainline.  From the breakdown, a lovely draw and give from Youngs and the looping Tom Wood opened up a gap for Ben Morgan, who barrelled his way over from 10 metres.  England had a 13 – 3 lead after Ford’s conversion – a big lead in such an even contest.

It could have been even better for the men in white had referee Jerome Garces not incorrectly ruled that Anthony Watson had knocked the ball on after the Bath man had chased down a smart kick from Youngs, but as it were, England were happy to take a 10 point lead into the changing rooms.  Less happy was Michael Cheika, who could be seen reading the riot act to his players during the break.

And whatever he said worked, as the Wallabies staged a comeback in the second period, beginning with a fine score from Foley after Rob Horne had scythed through following a delightful inside flick from his fly half, before delivering a return pass.  Foley converted and then, oddly, was immediately subbed for the mercurial Quade Cooper.  Nerves started to jangle around Twickenham – not helped by Ford missing a relatively straight forward kick just before the Foley score – and hearts were in mouths as Ashley-Cooper once again carved a glorious line off a (forward) Cooper pass, before being well tackled by Brown, with the move eventually dying out.

England were starting to look a bit nervous out wide, and so sensibly started to play the territory and power game, with Cooper being barrelled over the deadball line after collecting a teasing grubber kick by his own line.  The resulting 5 metre scrum saw the England pack decimate their opponents in scenes all too familiar to Australian fans, allowing Morgan to pick up and batter his way over the line for his second try, converted again by Ford.

But again, no sooner had England gained some breathing space, the men in gold showed their enterprise and character by clawing their way right back into things.  Yet again, Ashley-Cooper was the catalyst as he raced clear in the midfield, before being hauled down, but the visitors worked the phases and the behemoth substitute, Will Skelton, battered his way over from 5 metres for a fine try.

England still held a three point lead – which was extended by Ford via another penalty – but all the threat was coming from the men in gold.  Ashley-Cooper was carving his way through at will and, had an Israel Folau pass to Rob Horne found its mark, England could have found themselves behind.  It was worrying for Stuart Lancaster’s men, whose defensive organisation had been so good throughout the past three weeks, that they were suddenly being cut open on a regular basis and it was only heroic defence from Robshaw and the bloodied Barritt – who levelled Cooper with one thunderous hit – that kept the visitors out.

But England, throughout the game, had looked the more dominant in the key areas – in the set piece and at the breakdown – and eventually that was enough to see them home, with one further infringement being punished by a now nerve-less George Ford.  The final score was 26 – 17, and England finally had a win over one of the big three.

A win, yes, and an answer perhaps.  They have a pack to match the best in the world – and efficient, although not electric, backs.  Northampton, Leicester and Saracens have all dominated the Premiership at different times by utilising a power game – smashing teams up front around the fringes, getting them back peddling before releasing the backs, and there is no shame at all in adopting that power based game plan.  It may not be fancy, but it is beautiful in its own way.  And most importantly of all, it will win games.  The most beautiful sight is a “W”, after all.

England Player Ratings

Mike Brown – 6 – Solid at the back and made more than one 'last man' tackle, but the zip from his attacking play seems to have diminished and he occasionally looks indecisive.

Anthony Watson – 6 – Not involved as much as he would have liked, but a couple of promising surges none the less.

Brad Barritt – 8 – Possibly his best game in an England shirt.  Fearless and brutal in defence, and he hit a smart line in the build-up to Morgan's first try.  He's not a game-breaker, but he is a body breaker.

Billy Twelvetrees – 6 – The jury is still out after another mixed display.  Some moments of good handling were let down by the odd slipped tackle.

George Ford – 8 – The promising start to his international career continues as he nailed some high pressure kicks towards the end of the game and generally dictated play well.

Ben Youngs – 7 – Started superbly with real energy around the fringes and a smart kicking game, but the quality of his service faded as the game went on.  Good work to set up Morgan's try.

Joe Marler – 8 – Had a superb outing in the set piece but he also worked his socks off in the loose, too, making plenty of telling hits.

Dylan Hartley – 8 – Another superb lineout and scrum effort, and he kept his discipline too when things started to get a bit tasty.

Dave Wilson – 7 – Not involved in the loose as much as front row companions, but he was a dominant figure in the scrum.

Dave Attwood – 7 – Slightly quieter than we've been used to over the last few weeks, but he can be satisfied with another solid display in defence and in the set piece.

Courtney Lawes – 8 – Another to arguably have his best game in white, the Saints second row was simply everywhere in defence with some scything tackles.  Not seen too much in attack, however.

Tom Wood – 7 – Quieter than his fellow back rowers but somebody has to do the graft, and he showed a lovely line and smart hands to set up Morgan's first try.

Chris Robshaw – 9 – Second viewing showed how influential the England skipper was.  He was everywhere in defence and his work at the breakdown saved England's bacon on three separate occasions.  A very good finish to another strong series.  Man of the match.

Ben Morgan – 9 – At his destructive best, his finish for the first try showed all the energy and desire that Vunipola has been lacking.  His ability to keep moving in contact makes him a real handful.

Subs – 6 – Once again, Keiran Brookes caught the eye with some strong scrummaging and huge carries, whilst Matt Mullan also ran well in the set piece.  George Kruis continues to develop well at this level, too.

Australia Player Ratings

Israel Folau – 7 – Didn't really break free but so lethal on the counter whenever he got the ball in his hands.

Henry Speight – 5 – Didn't have the impact that he would have wanted in attack and struggled under the high ball on occasion.

Adam Ashley Cooper – 9 – Absolutely magnificent from the veteran centre.  He ran more metres than anyone else, beat more defenders and made more clean breaks – a class act.

Matt Toomua – 7 – Not as electric as his centre partner but a bruising presence in the midfield none the less.  Got the better of Twelvetrees once again.

Rob Horne – 7 – Lovely break for Foley's try and, like Toomua, was exceptionally physical in defence throughout.  100% commitment as always.

Bernard Foley – 7 – Struggled without front-foot ball but still managed to create opportunities.  He scored a well-taken try and would have had every right to be cheesed off at being subbed straight after.

Nick Phipps – 6 – Didn't have an easy day at the office behind a struggling pack and was well shackled by Ben Youngs, but his service remained quick and reliable.

James Slipper – 5 – Struggled badly against Wilson in the scrum.  Got his hands on the ball plenty of times but was unable to have the impact that we usually see.

Anthony Fainga'a – 6 – I'm not his biggest fan but fair play, he ran a very good lineout despite being under all sorts of pressure in the scrum.

Sekope Kepu – 4 – The poor bloke was really put through the mill by Marler at scrum time and, like Slipper, had minimal impact elsewhere on the park.

Sam Carter – 6 – Really worked his socks off in the loose but found himself outmuscled by a fired-up England pack.

Rob Simmons – 5 – Not the 50th test he would have hoped for.  He was pretty anonymous round the park despite running a decent line out.

Sean McMahon – 5 – He's still learning but he will be disappointed with his display, making only 5 tackles and 5 carries.  We're used to a much bigger shift from the youngster.

Michael Hooper – 7 – A couple of impressive turnovers caught the eye early on and he carried well, but his influence at the breakdown faded as the game progressed.

Ben McCalman – 6 – Carried reasonably well but couldn't influence the game and was outshone by his opposite number.

Subs – 6 – A bit of a mixed bag.  Big Will Skelton grabbed a try and caused plenty of problems with his sheer bulk, but Quade Cooper was unable to provide sufficient inspiration – instead playing the role of rag-doll as the English defence manhandled him time and again.