Aussie backlash buries Poms
7 Nov 2009
The Wallabies overcame a limp first-half performance to emerge 18-9 victors at Twickenham on Saturday.
So often this season, Australia has wilted in the dying stages. On this occasion, they converted their opportunities when it mattered.
Credit must go to a depleted England, but it should be noted that Australia may have scored more than just the two tries had they been more clinical.
Jonny Wilkinson took charge early on, slotting a drop goal from point blank range before a difficult penalty attempt bisected the uprights. It’s been 18 months since he last appeared for England, but the way he kicked on Saturday, it seemed like he never left.
Wilkinson was helped by a robust effort up front, the England pack – minus a number of first choice players due to injuries – bullying the Aussies at the collisions and holding firm at scrum time. The England lineout, under the leadership of Steve Borthwick, was also firing, as they not only secured possession off their own throw but managed to pilfer several Australian feeds.
The England defence lapsed occasionally allowing the Wallabies to make their way upfield, and in the 21st minute, Will Genia sniped from close range to register the tourists’ first points. Australia had several more opportunities towards the end of the first half, but their inaccuracy at the breakdown allowed England to turn them over at crucial stages.
The visitors butchered a certain try right after the break when Rocky Elsom opted to step inside a defender instead of utllising the overlap. Matt Giteau goaled an ensuing penalty, but it seemed England claimed the moral victory.
Australia relinquished possession in promising positions on two more occasions before a third opportunity came to nought. Drew Mitchell put the grubber through for Adam Ashley-Cooper to chase, but the ball dribbled into touch-and-goal. Digby Ioane then cut the England defence only to lose the ball when reaching for the tryline.
Despite their impotency, Australia retained possession long enough for England to make a costly error. A scrum collapse gifted Giteau a kickable goal, and with 20 minutes to play, the visitors were in front.
The home defence began to tire, and in the 72nd minute, Ashley-Cooper carried the ball for 10m to power over the line. Giteau completed a touchline conversion to take the Aussies out of striking distance, and the hosts had neither the strength nor the innovation to mount a dramatic comeback.
The win keeps Australia’s Grand Slam hopes alive, but they’ll need to lift their game significantly if they’re going to topple Six Nations Champs Ireland at Croke Park.
By Jon Cardinelli
155 Comments
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8 Nov 2009, 12:11 pm
Once again we have been exposed by our lack of creativity in the backs. Australia and NZ look so much better with the ball in hand than England. They seem to look to run at the gaps while we still persist with crash and bash back play.
The only bright spark was Jonny but we were lucky it wasnt 20 points against a weak Aussie team. No excuses even if we had some of our injured players back it wouldnt have made to much of a difference bearing in mind they didnt have barnes, mortlock, sharpe. Well played Aus
8 Nov 2009, 12:33 pm
#151 west:
Well said west………………………..Nice to see Johnny back to full health.
He dug that dodgy shoulder in a few times…..looking good.
8 Nov 2009, 12:44 pm
#49 Robzim: I agree. They live in fairy land..
England pundits felt they had a chance against Australia because they lost the Trinations, of which the Aussies were tamed by a dangerous SA and a Good NZ outfit. The Aussies hammered us in Australia for one of the test matches, so they should be respected.
The Ashley-Cooper try showed how far England are from the Southern-HEM..
8 Nov 2009, 12:47 pm
#151 west: I agree. Johnny was fantastic..
SA have a similar problem in that our back are not as creative. The only difference is that we have Dupreez at scrummy and he pulls all the strings in the SA backline.. We cannot runn the lines that Australia and NZ run.. We dont even make space for ourselves the same way..
8 Nov 2009, 13:27 pm
#154 Tbozknows: I agree with you there, SA has so much talent outwide not utilised, Habana is such a wasted talent in the bok backline, best winger in the world and he touches the ball couple of times a game. I would love to see him in an Ab backline with smith giving him some space.
Oh well just as well you havent got your back play sorted or there would be even more of a gap at the top
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