5 things we learned from England's 2nd Test win over Australia
England and Australia will meet in a series decider in Sydney on Saturday after Eddie Jones’ tourists clinched the second Test 25-17 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
Here, the PA news agency examines five things we learned from the team’s penultimate match of the season.
England’s pack snarl again
“Sleeves rolled up and gum-shields in” was how forwards coach Richard Cockerill outlined the determination for England to reassert themselves up front after fading in the first Test and his pack duly obliged with possibly their most dominant half since the World Cup. From Ellis Genge bulldozing through Michael Hooper, Billy Vunipola scattering defenders and the maul serving as a potent weapon, it was vintage forward play while it lasted and confirmed that an England pack on the rampage is a force to be reckoned with.
Billy’s back
As he carried the fight to the Wallabies, it was a vivid reminder that a rampaging Vunipola is England’s best number eight and if he maintains the form shown in Brisbane, it is hard to see how the injured Alex Dombrandt or Sam Simmonds can oust him from the back row. There had been a concern amongst England’s management that fatherhood had blunted Vunipola’s competitive appetite, while his form also suffered because of Saracens’ time outside the Premiership, but he has re-emerged as an influential figure on this tour.
JVP a Test natural
A week after winning his first cap as a replacement in Perth, Jack Van Poortvliet met the biggest challenge of a rookie career with a display that blows England’s scrum-half pecking order wide open. The 21-year-old’s delivery to Marcus Smith was crisp and accurate, he kicked with precision and was willing to exploit openings when they appeared. Since the 2019 World Cup, Jones’ plans for the number nine jersey are in a state of flux with Ben Youngs, Dan Robson, Harry Randall and Danny Care involved to varying degrees, but another composed outing against the Wallabies and Van Poortvliet might be installed as starter for the autumn.
More care needed
A match marred by three heavy concussions also produced mixed results on how they were dealt with. Jordan Petaia and Maro Itoje received prompt treatment and were immediately removed from play, but the sight of a shaken Sam Underhill groggily rising to his feet following a collision with Marika Koroibete and rejoining play was wince-inducing. Even Koroibete was trying to draw attention to the condition of England’s openside and Underhill was somehow allowed to continue following a brief medical examination before being withdrawn soon after. With events unfolding at high speed, mistakes will inevitably be made, but Underhill – a player with a history of concussion – needed more decisive intervention.
Wounded Wallabies
Australia have been so badly depleted by injury that their build-up to the decisive final Test will focus on juggling playing resources as much as correcting the failings that led to a 17-0 deficit inside the opening half hour. Following on from the carnage of the series opener, the Wallabies also lost Scott Sio, Jordan Petaia, Izaia Perese and Cadeyrn Neville at Suncorp Stadium and the quartet will not be involved in Sydney on Saturday. Squad depth is being tested like never before and their determination to battle until the final whistle in the face of a crippling casualty rate was impressive.
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
45 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments