| Australia: (6) 30 |
| Tries: Petaia, Fainga’a, Samu; Pens: Lolesio 3; Cons: Lolesio 3 |
| England: (6) 28 |
| Try: Genge, Arundell, Van Poortvliet; Pens: Farrell 3 Cons: Farrell 2 |
England lost their opening Australia tour match against the 14-man Wallabies side. Despite scoring two late try, it was a disappointing defeat.
Lock Darcy Swain was given a red in the first-half, and three other home players were hurt before the break.
Australia won 6-6 at the half-time, before Ellis Genge took over for England.
However, the Wallabies came back with an impressive comeback. Folau Fainga’a, Folau Petaia, and Pete Samu scored.
England received some consolation when debutant scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet and Henry Arundell, an uncapped wing, were able to make it through the night.
Australia’s victory ended England’s eight-year streak of consecutive victories against Wallabies.
It could also rekindle the desire for England to hire a new head coach. However, the Rugby Football Union is not allowing this. showed public support for Eddie Jones After a disappointing Six Nations campaign.
Australia is hit with red cards and injuries – but England can’t capitalize
While there was much anticipation for Test returns from England’s Danny Care, Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola, Australian absentees quickly stole the spotlight in Perth.
Quade Cooper, Fly-half, sustained a calf strain in warm-up. Noah Lolesio (22 years) will face Marcus Smith of England.
Australia did not suffer the worst news, however, with three more players leaving the field during the first quarter.
After appearing to have broken his arm in an awful landing after a high ball, full-back Tom Banks had no choice but to leave.
Then, Prop Allan Alaalatoa followed with a suspected injury to the head. Swain was then given a red card.
England’s Jonny hill was also yellowed after Swain pulled Swain’s hair. This prompted Swain to bump his head against Hill, an Australian – a red card offense.
Australia were left to play 45 mins with 14 players. But, two penalties from Owen Farrell, one from Lolesio, and two other penalties from Lolesio made it possible for Australia to tie the game at 6-6 before the break.
England may have been too confident of winning from there.
Care returned almost four years after his last test return. Joe Cokanasiga and Vunipola performed well, but England’s discipline failed them.
Lolesio applied it to Australia’s victory by allowing the tourists to concede another penalty at half-time.
Prop Genge won, Farrell took a penalty and England seemed to have control. However, Australia had other ideas.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Wallabies spread England’s defense wide and replaced full-back Petaia in the corner.
Vunipola received a yellow for dangerously tackling Michael Hooper. Fainga’a scored with a maul.
England was made worse by Samu’s attempt, before uncapped replacements arrived with cool heads to minimize the damage.
Arundell scored in the final seconds, but there was not enough time for him to win. This suggests that he is capable of living up to his huge promise at club level with London Irish.
Van Poortvliet made a last attempt to bring Australia down to 13, after Lolesio had been sin-binned.
Line-ups
Australia: Banks; Kellaway, Ikitau, Kerevi, Koroibete; Cooper, White; Bell, Porecki, Alaalatoa, Swain, Neville, Leota, Hooper (capt), Valetini.
Replacements: Fainga’a, Sio, Slipper, Philip, Samu, Gordon, Lolesio, Petaia.
England: Steward; Nowell; Marchant, Farrell; Smith; Care; Genge; George, Stuart; Hill, Lawes (capt), Curry; B Vunipola.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, M Vunipola, Heyes, Chessum, Ludlam, Van Poortvliet, Porter, Arundell.