Australia v England LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Wallabies win despite Darcy Swain red card
Follow all the reaction from the first Test of England’s summer tour
England went down 30-28 to Australia in a rollercoaster first game of the three-match series in Perth on Saturday.
The Wallabies’ win snaps an eight-match losing streak against their old rivals despite the loss of lock Darcy Swain to a red card before half-time.
Winger Jordan Petaia, hooker Folau Fainga’a and loose forward Pete Samu scored tries in the last quarter as Australia recorded their first win over England since knocking the co-hosts out of the 2015 World Cup.
Samu’s try took Australia to a 30-14 lead but England debutants Henry Arundell and Jack van Poortvliet scored tries in the dying minutes to make the scoreline more respectable.
The series continues over the next two weeks with tests at Brisbane’s Lang Park and the Sydney Cricket Ground. Follow all the reaction with our live blog:
Late heartbreak for Wales despite spirited showing in first South Africa Test
Damian Willemse broke Welsh hearts with the final kick of a pulsating Test match as world champions South Africa triumphed 32-29 at Loftus Versfeld.
Willemse’s penalty – awarded following a deliberate knock-on by Wales captain Dan Biggar – denied Wales a draw.
And for large parts of a breath-taking contest, Wayne Pivac’s team looked destined to end 58 years of hurt by claiming a first victory over the Springboks in South Africa.
Late heartbreak for Wales despite spirited showing in first South Africa Test
For large parts of a breath-taking contest, Wayne Pivac’s team looked destined to end 58 years of hurt by claiming a first win in South Africa.
South Africa take a 1-0 series lead
You do wonder, though, if that was Wales’ best shot of the series. South Africa were rusty for long periods today, and will surely settle into their work quicker next week, and it will be tough for Wayne Pivac’s side to reproduce that sort of perfomance in Bloemfontein next Saturday.
Wayne Pivac on Wales’ defeat
“It was a huge effort, but when you are down to 12 men against the world champions here it is very, very difficult. Discipline - we were on the wrong side of the referee today and we need to go away and take a look at the penalties we conceded.
“The effort was there, it was more around under pressure we did make a few mistakes. I would have even taken a draw at the end.
“It was a big step up from our last performance. I’m disappointed for the players because they worked so hard this week. It is one that got away. World champions in their back yard. We’ll roll our sleeves up tomorrow and go again next week.”
F/T: South Africa 32-29 Wales
A devastating defeat for Wales. They had done brilliantly to stay with South Africa, first stalling the Springboks’ fightback and then striking late to draw back level through Dewi Lake. But should Tomos Williams have kicked the ball back to South Africa with 30 seconds left? It offered a chance to win it, which Damian Willemse took.
F/T: South Africa 32-29 Wales
Dan Lydiate speaks to Sky Sports on Welsh heartbreak: “I’m pretty gutted to be honest. there were a lot of momentum shifts in that game, but we thought we had nicked it.
“Very disappointed after the Six Nations, we wanted to put a good performance in and restore some fight back into the jersey. But we came here to win. We’ll dust ourselves off and go again next week.
“It’s just a massive privilege to put the jersey on again, so hopefully I’ll get another chance to put it on.”
PENALTY! SOUTH AFRICA 32-29 Wales (Damian Willemse penalty, 83 minutes)
With the final kick, Damian Willemse snatches victory for South Africa!
South Africa 29-29 Wales, 81 minutes
A deliberate knock on! Penalty to South Africa!
Makazole Mapimpi is screaming for the ball on the left wing for several phases. South Africa finally try the get the ball to him, but Wales condense the space well, and seem to have it handled...
Until Dan Biggar extends his right arm in the path of a pass and is rightly ruled to have deliberately knocked it on. Damian Willemse will have the chance to win it from 15-in on the left-hand side...
South Africa 29-29 Wales, 80 minutes
Wales would quite fancy a draw at this stage, but dare not dally in their own half, kicking the ball back to South Africa.
Who run it back with interest. Cheslin Kolbe and Lukhanyo Am make merry progress down the right as the hooter blares.
South Africa 29-29 Wales, 79 minutes
Alun Wyn Jones is back amongst things. Wales have 13 players on the field.
Surely that means space for South Africa? Possession is with the Springboks on halfway, the backs seeking those openings...ooh, is that the right choice from Damian de Allende? With time ticking by, he pokes a little grubber into touch.
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