England v Australia LIVE rugby: Result and reaction after Wallabies snatch victory in Twickenham thriller
England 37-42 Australia: Steve Borthwick’s side suffered another narrow defeat as their search for a win goes on
Australia secured a dramatic victory over England in a Twickenham thriller as Max Jorgensen’s final-minute try piled more pressure on Steve Borthwick.
After a narrow defeat to the All Blacks in their Autumn Nations Series opener continued a run of close losses, England raced out of the blocks, surging in front through two tries from Chandler Cunningham-South and a Marcus Smith penalty. But their control soon lapsed as Australia came to the party, showing off their entertaining attacking game to take the lead before half time. After the interval, the Wallabies widened the gap as Jeremy Williams powered into the corner, leaving the hosts staring down the barrel of a fourth successive defeat.
Some excellent play from Harlequins’ Marcus Smith and Alex Dombrandt set up Ollie Sleightholme for two tries in quick succession to edge England back in front, before Andrew Kellaway and Maro Itoje traded scores as the game swang back and forth. But Jorgensen’s scamper to the corner snatched victory at the last in another difficult day for Borthwick’s side.
Re-live all of the action from Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in our live blog below:
TRY! England 18-25 Australia
The angles of the cameras and Feyi-Waboso in the way make it extremely difficult to tell if this is a try or not. They’ll likely have to stick with the on-field decision...
...and they do! Australia go 25-18 up!
Lolesio misses a difficult kick to keep the gap at seven points.
England 18-20 Australia
50 mins
TRY! It’ll be checked, but the Wallabies have another try (for now).
It’s simple stuff from the Australians as they play through the forwards and quickly make 10 metres. The England defence are scrambling to get back as the Wallabies’ forwards pour forward, before it’s shipped wider to Williams, who goes over right in the corner.
There’s a lengthy TMO as it looks like his foot is in touch a millisecond before he grounds the ball.
England 18-20 Australia
49 mins
A little break in play as some England players are receiving some treatment, with Jamie George among them.
England 18-20 Australia
England just can’t get any control of this game. It feels like a time for a steady head like George Ford’s, though there is no real sign of activity on the bench beyond Luke Cowan-Dickie, who puts his coat back on with Jamie George ok to continue for now.
England 18-20 Australia
48 mins
Spencer’s box kick is collected by Wright but it’s lost in the ruck and England have a chance, before they themselves knock it on in the ruck.
Jorgensen has replaced Pietsch on the wing for the Wallabies.
England 18-20 Australia
47 mins
Some more trickery from Sua’ali’i as he catches and offloads in mid-air, and it almost creates an opening for the Wallabies, but it breaks down and England clear for touch.
England 18-20 Australia
46 mins
Wright opts for the kick and chase but Smith does brilliantly to win it under pressure from the Wallabies full-back, and England manage to clear after a great counter-ruck.
For Australia, Tupou comes off for Alaalatoa.
England 18-20 Australia
43 mins
Some good early phases from England and a good chase from Freeman. They spread it wide and Lawrence gains some more ground, but the ball goes loose from the ruck after Slade was tackled.
England pick it back up but there’s work to do from their own half, before the home side win a lineout near halfway.
KICK-OFF! England 18-20 Australia
Australia begin the second half with the ball, and Gordon is back on after his HIA.
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