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.
Comments on RugbyPass
Not sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to comments