Australia secured a dramatic victory over England in a Twickenham thriller as Max Jorgensen’s final-minute try piled more pressure on Steve Borthwick.
After a narrow defeat to the All Blacks in their Autumn Nations Series opener continued a run of close losses, England raced out of the blocks, surging in front through two tries from Chandler Cunningham-South and a Marcus Smith penalty. But their control soon lapsed as Australia came to the party, showing off their entertaining attacking game to take the lead before half time. After the interval, the Wallabies widened the gap as Jeremy Williams powered into the corner, leaving the hosts staring down the barrel of a fourth successive defeat.
Some excellent play from Harlequins’ Marcus Smith and Alex Dombrandt set up Ollie Sleightholme for two tries in quick succession to edge England back in front, before Andrew Kellaway and Maro Itoje traded scores as the game swang back and forth. But Jorgensen’s scamper to the corner snatched victory at the last in another difficult day for Borthwick’s side.
Re-live all of the action from Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in our live blog below:
FULL-TIME! England 37-42 Australia
A brilliant game for the neutral, and it was a deserved win in the end for the Wallabies, with some great performances from several players.
England started far more brightly, but faded in parts despite some flashes of brilliance and some great forward play.
That is England’s fifth defeat in the last six matches, with South Africa up next a week today.
Chris Wilson9 November 2024 17:24
FULL-TIME! England 37-42 Australia
Such a disappointment for England, but take nothing away from Australia, who fought back brilliantly and showed some real flashes of brilliance.
It doesn’t get any easier for England, who face South Africa next week.
Chris Wilson9 November 2024 17:14
CONVERTED TRY! England 37-42 Australia
Heartbreak for England at the last.
The Wallabies continue working it with the forwards until the chance comes to move it wide. They do so quickly while there are gaps in the defence, and it comes to Len Ikitau, who carries hard before slipping it to Jorgensen who is almost unchallenged as he runs in and dives over in the corner!
The conversion goes over and it finishes England 37-42 Australia.
Chris Wilson9 November 2024 17:12
TRY! England 37-40 Australia
TRY! And Australia have won it against all odds! What an ending!
Chris Wilson9 November 2024 17:09
England 37-35 Australia
Into the last minute now and Itoje loses it forward just after the restart. From the scrum, Cole folds in and it’ll be re-set. Into the red now.
Australia win at the second time of asking. They work a couple of phases and gain a bit of ground, but the ball runs loose and is knocked on for an advantage. Tense times.
Chris Wilson9 November 2024 17:08
CONVERTED TRY! England 37-35 Australia
TRY! England are back ahead!
A great reply from England as they advance around the 22 and Smith pokes in a kick that Wright is forced to touch down behind his own try line for the scrum.
England win it and Earl picks and goes from the back, and England win the penalty advantage. They don’t need it though, as Itoje picks up and flies over the line!
It’s a simple kick for Smith and he squeezes it in!
Chris Wilson9 November 2024 17:05
CONVERTED TRY! England 30-35 Australia
TRY! Again out of nowhere, but this time for the Wallabies!
England work it through the backs and it’s looking good but the pass is slightly behind Lawrence and he fumbles it! Kellaway picks it up and he’s got free space to run into. He’s got the legs and he goes over!
Chris Wilson9 November 2024 17:02
England 30-28 Australia
England win their scrum on halfway but the kick chase isn’t successful, and both sides exchange kicks in between a few phases each, before Randall’s kick is chased down by Salakaia-Loto for a lineout.
Cowan-Dickie is down so there’ll be a break here.
Chris Wilson9 November 2024 16:59