Every series victory in the southern hemisphere merits recognition, regardless of how it is accomplished. If this month’s overall quality levels rarely approached Ireland’s monumental efforts in New Zealand, England is returning home with the Elliot-Mobbs Trophy and Eddie Jones has once again had the last laugh over his countrymen.
Never mind that England has performed inconsistently in Australia and has faced a Wallabies team that has regularly let them off the hook. Another series is headed to the north, with a breakaway try from Marcus Smith after 55 minutes and another concerted late defensive effort securing a second hard-earned victory in consecutive weekends.
Not for the first time in the series, Australia’s replacement hooker Fainga’a Folau scored a close-range touchdown to make the score 21-17 with 14 minutes remaining. In the absence of Maro Itoje, Sam Underhill, and Tom Curry, it was to the credit of the visitors that they had the reserves to survive the green and gold surge.
England’s aggressive game is still in need of balance, but they have won consecutive games they could have easily lost. This suggests that it is little wrong with the team’s spirit, and they have also uncovered some young talent that will mature in the next year or so.
These two teams may face again in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in France, depending on the outcomes of their respective pools. If this is the case, England will not want to allow their opponents to possess sixty percent of the ball and cannot count on the Wallabies to squander as many scoring opportunities as they did in this game.
The most significant aspect of the first 50 minutes was Jones’ decision to substitute scrum-half Danny Care after only 36 minutes. In front of the green-roofed, pavilioned splendor of one of cricket’s most renowned venues, the opening half was reminiscent of two teams unable to hit anything outside the square.
With greater execution, Australia may have established an early lead. Tom Wright missed a great try-scoring opportunity due to a sloppy pass from Reece Hodge and a missed penalty kick by Noah Lolesio. England was again rescued when Taniela Tupou delivered a poor ball to an unmarked Nick Frost with the line wide open.
The hosts’ approach play was more fluid than England’s early efforts, which were more laborious. Owen Farrell kicked a 22-meter drop-out into touch on the full, and his first point of the game, a 17th-minute penalty, came completely against the flow of play.
It was the third occasion in this series that Australia failed to score in the first quarter, although the drought ended shortly thereafter. Sharp midfield passing allowed Wright to get through Tommy Freeman, and an exchange of passes with Nic White, who was playing in his 50th Test, allowed the winger to score in the corner, with Lolesio completing the conversion.
The England midfield defense was being asked difficult questions, particularly by the quick-footed Marika Koroibete, but they were not providing the necessary responses. Lolesio and Farrell swapped additional penalties, but Jones had seen enough to warrant a substitution at scrum-half, so he replaced Care with Jack van Poortvliet.
Care had not been performing at his best, but he was not alone. Instead, it was his counterpart White who made the most costly mistake in the first forty minutes, losing control after a Farrell penalty kick hit the upright. Freddie Steward, in his 32nd game of a difficult season, scored the first try in the series by starting English three-quarters.
In the first forty minutes, England missed thirty percent of their attempted tackles, a statistic that would give any defense coach the chills. Despite this, they still led, reflecting the mediocrity of the first half.
From England’s standpoint, their evening was about to significantly improve. Another Farrell penalty increased the margin to 14-10, and Lolesio’s costly mistake allowed Smith to sprint to the goal line.
At 21-10, the game should have been finished, but the Wallabies were finding new energy. It took two outstanding tackles by Van Poortvliet and then Steward to stop Samu Kerevi and Koroibete, and Fainga’a’s try with 14 minutes remaining was no less than the home side deserved.
Australia lacked the cunning of Quade Cooper and the bulk of overseas-based stalwarts such as Will Skelton and Rory Arnold, making it difficult for them to land the golden knockout blow. Kerevi and Koroibete have demonstrated their proven class, but the forwards as a whole have not intimidated many horses.
Who was England’s MVP of the series? Steward, who is already his country’s player of the year at home, has been consistently excellent, with Van Poortvliet and Ellis Genge closely following. Farrell’s goal-kicking and Courtney Lawes’ composed leadership have both proved influential at times, especially with so many other veteran players out.
As for the Australian Rugby Union, it can only hope that this series has reignited interest in rugby among local fans ahead of the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour and the 2027 Rugby World Cup. In this region, rugby’s popularity has declined dramatically, and a Wallabies victory would assist enormously. This time, though, the month belongs to England.
