England vs Australia – Rugby World Cup 2019 quarter-final: Jonny May double downs Wallabies – 5 things we learned
England 40-16 Australia: Tries from May, Kyle Sinckler and Anthony Watson, alongside Owen Farrell’s boot ensured a semi-final berth in Yokohama
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Your support makes all the difference.Jonny May struck twice to inspire England past rivals Australia and into the World Cup semi-finals.
The Wallabies quickly grabbed territorial advantage and dominated the opening phases of possession, with Kurtley Beale’s dash setting up a penalty for the lead. But Eddie Jones’s side hit back with a vengeance; first through Jonny May’s clinical finish after good work from Anthony Watson and Manu Tuilagi in a sweeping move from right to left.
And May was then at the double just two minutes later, capitalising on Henry Slade’s intelligence and craft, collecting his kick to punish David Pocock’s picked-off no-look pass. Marika Koroibete took a chunk out of England’s half-time lead with a devastating burst after the restart, but Kyle Sinckler responded, charging in after profiting from Owen Farrell’s laser-like pass.
Owen Farrell’s boot then nudged England further ahead before late drama as Watson got in on the act to add some gloss to the scoreline and ensure a semi-final in Yokohama against the winners of New Zealand vs Ireland.
Here are five things we learned from Oita.
England require wake-up call after Beale breaks game open
Australia’s bright start was impressive but they lacked bit until Kurtley Beale’s dynamic burst broke the game open.
The full-back capitalised on Henry Slade coughing up the ball and brutally exposed the opening, selling a kick to breeze past Elliot Daly and eventually force an infraction to secure a penalty and the lead.
It was the wake-up call that England needed with the veteran Aussie proving his pace remains as formidable as ever.
May makes move for top try scorer
The opening try for Eddie Jones’ side and their first lead of the game was born through Anthony Watson’s fancy footwork and explosion to beat Marika Koroibete.
England quickly shifted possession back to the left and there was Jonny May for his first of the match, lurking ominously to make the extra man on the outside count, as he always does.
May’s timing is always so reliable and he provided another heavy blow to Australia moments later, picking up the pieces after Henry Slade broke free and delicately kicked into space for the Leicester Tiger to pounce for his second in Oita and third of the tournament.
Kotaro Matsushima is the front-runner for top try scorer on five, but May could well be timing his run perfectly for the prize.
Slade proves to be a magician
It is remarkable that Henry Slade’s powerful drive upfield was perhaps the least important part of this sensational try for England to create daylight in a gripping first half.
First his spatial awareness to punish David Pocock’s no-look pass to Christian Lealiifano to place the vast open field ahead of him.
But then to map out England’s second try as the Wallabies closed in, delicately chipping the ball towards his left for the onrushing May; the geometry and weight of pass was perfect for his teammate to gobble it up and post an early 11-point lead.
Genius.
Koroibete shows Australia fight
And he’s gone! That was the breathless reaction after Marika Koroibete quickly dragged Australia back into this quarter-final at the restart.
Down 17-9 at the break, it was the perfect response from the wing, who can run the 100m in an impressive 10.75.
Jordan Petaia’s clever reverse ball infield opened the channel for Koroibete, who ruthlessly surged alongside the chalk and in for the try. It was another magnificent moment from a thrilling game.
A second try was chalked off late on, but that did not deny Koroibete proving himself as one of the game’s most dangerous players.
Sinckler keeps cool
On 63 minutes, Kyle Sinckler shuffled from the pitch, his work done.
Any plan by Australia to target his hair trigger temperament either failed to materialise or simply failed to succeed: instead Sinckler kept his discipline, conceding only one penalty in an industrious hour that saw him dish out eight tackles and carry 17 metres.
Most important of those was the crucial 10 or so that brought England their third try, and ultimately took this quarter-final away from the Wallabies.
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