England claim controversial win over Wallabies

Australia coach Michael Cheika was left enraged by the performance of referee Ben O’Keeffe as the Wallabies saw two players sin-binned and found themselves frustrated by several other decisions in an ultimately convincing 30-6 loss to England.

Criticised for their underwhelming display against Argentina last time out, England delivered a gritty display in miserable conditions at Twickenham – where rain fell throughout and knock-ons were plentiful – before surging clear with three tries in the final eight minutes.

Yet the visitors fumed at a host of refereeing calls, with yellow cards for Michael Hooper and Kurtley Beale coming in between the former seeing a try disallowed and Elliot Daly being awarded a controversial score for England.

Australia were then denied another try when Stephen Moore was adjudged to have obstructed Chris Robshaw as Marika Koroibete barged over, leaving Cheika – who criticised O’Keeffe following a Rugby Championship draw with South Africa in September – visibly furious.

To rub salt into Cheika’s wounds, England pulled away dramatically in the closing stages – Jonathan Joseph and Jonny May each latching on to kicks from Danny Care to touch down before the replacement scrum-half also went over.

The end result was a hugely flattering scoreline for England and their 21st win from 22 Tests under Eddie Jones.

FT: @EnglandRugby have beaten Australia, 30 – 6 at Twickenham #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/Qqp1RgSYon

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 18, 2017

Two penalties from the returning Owen Farrell provided the only points of the first half, but there was certainly no shortage of incident.

After Farrell’s opening three-pointer and the early introduction of another player rested last week, Maro Itoje replacing the injured Sam Underhill, Australia saw Bernard Foley miss a chance to level the scores before turning down another shot at goal to force a lineout that England stole.

With the Wallabies on top, Hooper touched down from a clever Tevita Kuridrani kick, only for the score to be chalked off for offside – a decision Cheika sarcastically applauded.

Hooper was then sin-binned following repeated infringements from Australia and, after Farrell had doubled England’s lead, Beale also picked up a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.

8 – That is Michael Hooper's 8th yellow card for @qantaswallabies, more than any other player from any country. Repeat.

— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) November 18, 2017

Australia performed admirably to stay in the game when numerically disadvantaged, a long-range penalty from Reece Hodge making it 6-3 before Beale returned.

Two more hugely controversial moments followed. After a thrilling break from Samu Kerevi was wasted through Kuridrani coughing up possession, George Ford’s kick to the left looked to be heading out of play, only for Daly to sneak in ahead of Kurtley Beale and kick on to score. After a lengthy TMO review, it was ruled that the ball had just stayed in the field of play before Daly got to it with his boot, leaving Beale to rue his carelessness in jogging back.

Koroibete then looked to have replied for Australia after Foley had split the posts to make it 13-6, but that try was ruled out for obstruction by replacement hooker Stephen Moore and England finished with a flourish to leave their opponents stunned.