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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7 Nov 2009, 18:39 pm
#94 poppa69:
What revenge/ You’ve still got to get past the French again, if you want to meet us in the final.
7 Nov 2009, 18:41 pm
#94 poppa69: Exactly. That’s what I’m saying either Saffas agree he reffed well in Cardiff (as well in Bloem and Brisbane for whiat he verbally was lynched here) or not. All in one package.
7 Nov 2009, 18:41 pm
#87 klippies101:
And Jannie’s the best TH in the world, as well.
7 Nov 2009, 18:42 pm
#101 David: If you reach it, that is.
7 Nov 2009, 18:43 pm
#96 RedLion: I guess, you will not. What’s your point?
7 Nov 2009, 18:45 pm
#101 David: thats why theyre in our group David, so we wont meet them unless we happen to make the final..
just so you guys have another “conspiracy” to cling to… much like you guys, as your recent record shows, the french are a team that can beat anyone… you know it, I know it…
7 Nov 2009, 18:51 pm
Well done Oz. Gutsy 2nd half. England sadly don’t know how to score tries.
7 Nov 2009, 18:51 pm
#106 poppa69:
No, if you both win your QFs you meet in the semis.
7 Nov 2009, 18:56 pm
#108 David: no, we’d meet SA in the semis I believe..
7 Nov 2009, 18:57 pm
same as SA Eng in 2007…
7 Nov 2009, 19:02 pm
#109 poppa69:
Sorry, you’re quite right.
7 Nov 2009, 19:03 pm
#108 David: David the way the WC is worked out. Boks and All Blacks meet in the semi. Huge pity that as one of us will be out the. Would love to have had a Bok/AB final
7 Nov 2009, 19:04 pm
#110 poppa69: Poppa how you mate? Good luck to ABs tonight. They should win this easy.
7 Nov 2009, 19:05 pm
I see the Beast has been cleared to tour.
7 Nov 2009, 19:06 pm
#112 Puma:
It depends on who heads Group A, France or NZ.
7 Nov 2009, 19:06 pm
#111 David: let that be a lesson to you young man
lmao
#112 Puma: hey Puma, hope alls good mate, its 4 am, the prematch is on, cant wait..
7 Nov 2009, 19:07 pm
#116 poppa69:
Thanks for the “young” bit.
7 Nov 2009, 19:08 pm
Well done Aussies.
7 Nov 2009, 19:08 pm
Hi Gents
Anyone have a link for the kiwi game??
7 Nov 2009, 19:08 pm
#114 David: Thank goodness for that. It was a farce David. Beast has been playing for Boks for a long time. To have not allowed him to play now would have made us look kinda stupid for letting him play all those tests.
As far as I know he got citizenship a long time back. So not sure what went on there.
7 Nov 2009, 19:09 pm
#118 Big Hit: Such a pity BH….JW was awesome….and Eng could of closed the deal….dont despair…
7 Nov 2009, 19:09 pm
#119 grant10: No Grant but will keep you updated. Ask Nils he normally has a link for the games.
7 Nov 2009, 19:10 pm
#122 Puma: Thanks Puma….
Nils…where are you boet??
7 Nov 2009, 19:10 pm
#116 poppa69: Going to be a cracker Poppa. Abs to win easy. I think by 12 maybe more. Late there by you Poppa at least it is only 7pm here and kick off at 7.30pm.
7 Nov 2009, 19:11 pm
#123 grant10: He will be around for the game. Normally always here when ABs are playing.
7 Nov 2009, 19:11 pm
#118 Big Hit: hard luck Big Hit, but a lot of positives, Johnny played well and it wasnt over until the last 10 minutes, not bad with so many injuries..
7 Nov 2009, 19:13 pm
#124 Puma: why they playing the last post? Welsh legend pass on?
7 Nov 2009, 19:14 pm
Awesome stadium that. FULL, FULL TO THE RAFTERS. Just see red everywhere. Must be some ABs supporters there but the RED is all over.
Now they having a min silence for the guys that died in the war.
7 Nov 2009, 19:14 pm
#119 grant10:
No DSTV in paradise?
7 Nov 2009, 19:15 pm
#127 poppa69: Think it was for soldiers that died during the war I think.
7 Nov 2009, 19:16 pm
#129 David: He deserves that
for living in the most beautiful place on earth… 
7 Nov 2009, 19:17 pm
Going to watch the anthems now and the haka don’t want to miss that.
Back a bit later.
7 Nov 2009, 19:17 pm
#128 Puma: must be for remembrance day on the 11th?
7 Nov 2009, 19:18 pm
#127 poppa69:
Only their rugby.
7 Nov 2009, 19:18 pm
#129 David: No reception Dave…only m net…so i am at home watching storm over Clifton 2 nd beach…..beautiful but right now i would prefer watching the rugby!
7 Nov 2009, 19:19 pm
#134 David:
7 Nov 2009, 19:26 pm
#134 David:
My wife just walked in from visiting friends to catch NCIS. She reckons that as I got to watch one game, she’s in her rights.
7 Nov 2009, 19:26 pm
Monye must be the worst back 3 player ever…
England rugby must suck if THAT is the best they have….
7 Nov 2009, 19:34 pm
3-0 ABs
7 Nov 2009, 19:36 pm
#136 poppa69:
Puma’s probably right. It must have been guys from one of the Welsh regiments that were killed recently.
7 Nov 2009, 19:51 pm
anyone got a link for a feed for me?
7 Nov 2009, 20:32 pm
Jonny Wilkinson is back! And he has a good running game now!
7 Nov 2009, 20:33 pm
#142 Mbhubesi:
Yes, he reckoned he’d got a lot more confidence to play his own game, now. It’s great to see.
7 Nov 2009, 23:38 pm
#121 grant10: #126 poppa69: cheers, reckon there was only one team in it in the second half
#138 Hmmm: Monye was playing 15, it isn’t his position and has only played there 3 times in his career. We’re missing our first choice 15 Delon Armitage and our second choice 15 Olly Morgan to a shoulder and calf injury respectively.
#142 Mbhubesi: yeah looking in great nick but how long will it last when he has to do everyone else’s defensive job for them.
7 Nov 2009, 23:39 pm
#144 Big Hit: btw I mean Oz was the only team in it in the second half, our team went to sleep
8 Nov 2009, 00:12 am
Why do the English want to put width on the ball when their front 5 could have eaten the Ozzie 5 in a oner?
Boring and direct should be what the English would be better doing until they get some wins under their belts.
8 Nov 2009, 00:52 am
#146 Brigadier Van Zyl:
Because the english knew they will be boned by our forwards.
Its best for people to think they are strong than to be proven they are weak.
8 Nov 2009, 01:56 am
#146 Brigadier Van Zyl: not that front five. If Sheridan, Shaw etc were available we could’ve kept it tight.
8 Nov 2009, 07:03 am
#147 wallabie.: Hi mate, I thought Cooper was good in that posi, don’t know about Digby but, Cross seemed a lot more comfortable. Good Effort from the boys, unlucky not be further ahead at the end of day. #148 Big Hit: Good game bud, your team suprised me with some enterprising play, Wilkinson did his best and was a standout.#146 Brigadier Van Zyl: That style of play takes a lot of time and doesn’t get many points, in a game against a team like Aus you can be find your self short on time and points, They also failed to make any real impression on our forwards anway. Not in the league of the Kiwis or Bokks, thats for sure. I saw mistakes from Aus that would have been punished severely by the Blacks or Bokks, thank god where not playing them.
8 Nov 2009, 10:50 am
#149 SAussie/QldRed:
You have good points. It will all fall into place and all of a sudden Aus will have immense depth in key positions. Cooper, cross, digby, mortlock, pocock etc etc.
This game yesterday…one has to acknowledge this was not englands best team…far from it but will be a journey in confidence building.
This is a weak England team and I am not beating my drum.
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