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Australia too strong for England
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Martin Johnson's injury-hit England failed to score a single point in the second half as they began their Autumn international campaign with a dispiriting 19-8 defeat to Australia at Twickenham.
With a full XV of players on the physio table, England's progression under Johnson cannot be fully guaged by this result, but that doesn't hide the failings. Although the ill-discipline which ravaged their Six Nations displays earlier this year was all but eradicated, a lack of penetration, poor decision-making and handling errors undermined their attacking intentions.
Only sterling defence and an uncharacteristic lack of ruthlessness from Australia, ensured the game remained in a modicum of doubt until the latter stages. The Wallabies wasted countless guilt-edged chances during a second half of almost unremitting dominance.
Adam Ashley-Cooper eventually broke through two challenges with nine minutes remaining to effectively put Australia out of sight, but Will Genia and Rocky Elsom were just two of the wasteful culprits earlier in the half.
Genia had put the Aussies back in the game with a nifty score from close range after England controlled the early stages and established a sound platform through the boot of Jonny Wilkinson, who was the only back to show any invention or intent.
Wilkinson slotted a drop-goal in the third minute, his first penalty on 10 and a second shortly after Genia's try and was the spark for anything positive in attack.
At that point England led 9-5, but they were thankful for a catalogue of Australian penalties, rather than their own brilliance, for much of that dominance.
Sage observers would have feared the worst at half time. As soon as a different Australia appeared in the second half, there was only one winner.
match commentary
80 mins: England end on the attack, but, despite two penalties conceded near the line by Australia, the white shirts look as clueless as ever in possession.
76 mins: That is that as yet another - ANOTHER - handling error (this time from Moody) brings an end to a Wilkinson-inspired attack. England haven't scored a point in this second half. They've been totally outplayed.
74 mins: England try to hit back immediately, but, Wilkinson aside, there's a total and utter lack of invention in this backline. Sub Lawes is turned over, Genia kicks deep and Banahan gets no distance on his clearance to touch.
71 mins: TRY FOR AUSTRALIA! A superb show of strength from Cooper. He receives the ball on the left and has two men - Cueto and Monye - on him 15 yards out, but he drags them both over the line to surely seal victory. Giteau magnificently converts from the left touchline to leave England needing two scores.
68 mins: Much, much better from England as the backs spray passes left and right and even the forwards get involved with Bell and Hartley linking up nicely on the right touchline. Sadly, Erinle's first contribution is to drop a pass in midfield. Inexcusable.
67 mins: Erinle wins his first cap as a replacement for Hipkiss.
64 mins: Haskell leads a counter-attack with a blazing run out of defence. Wilkinson's superb chip and collect carries England further forward, but everyhing falls apart when Geraghty, whose had a bit of a shocker, drops a regulation pass.
63 mins: England show initial signs of promise down the right as quick hands from Wilkinson and Geraghty set Monye clear. He slips, though, in full flow and from there the attack peters out into a series of sideways shunts which ultimately end in England conceding a penalty.
60 mins: England 9 Australia 11! Bell replaces Wilson and immediately collapses the scrum. Giteau says "ta very much" and puts Australia ahead. Problems now for England, who haven't looked like scoring a try all afternoon. Nothing changes.
57 mins: What a chance for Australia! They're totally dominating now, but continue to blow chances. Genia times his short pass to Ioane to perfection. The centre breezes past Monye and only a last-ditch intervention from Moody and a fumble from Ioane on the line prevents the score.
56 mins: England substitution: Thompson replaced by Hartley.
54 mins: A shocking slice from Geraghty puts England in all sorts of trouble. Mitchell's intended grubber kick is just too strong for Cooper on the right touchline. England breathe again, but they can't hold out for much longer.
53 mins: Finally, England's backs see some action. Geraghty steps inside his man and makes 20 yards. Wilkinson scoops up the loose ball and releases Monye for a powerful surge into the 22. A loose pass by Wilkinson ultimately ends the attack. Haskell on for Crane.
51 mins: England are having to make so many tackles, 24-8 in fact in this second half. Thankfully, Australia continue to concede penalties and Wilkinson is able to clear the danger.
49 mins: England are penalised on halfway and Giteau kicks to touch, deep in the corner. After a lineout, the ball is pinged across the backs and it needs a fine tackle from Cueto on Mitchell to keep Australia out. Moody follows up with another big tackle and ensures a turnover. England survive... for now.
46 mins: England 9 Australia 8! Giteau nails the penalty from quite wide on the left. Australia look the far more likely scorers every time they attack.
44 mins: Australia straight on the attack and it takes a fine succession of tackles and an amazing lack of vision from a host of Aussie players to prevent a try. After nine phases, Cueto boots clear, but England are caught off-side. They'll take that because Australia have wasted a golden opportunity to put seven points on the board. Wilson is down and needs treatment.
40 mins: Australia get the second half underway.
HT: England 9 Australia 5
Half time: England have enjoyed more territory and possession, but, as ever, lack penetration and must be thankful for Australia ill-discipline for their lead. The Wallabies have attacked only twice, yet scored a try. The second half promises to be fascinating. Join us for that at 3.25pm.
39 mins: Wilkinson proves his worth in defence, making two bone-crunching tackles, the first stopping Giteau in his tracks, the second resulting in an Australian penalty for holding on. The Twickenham crowd hail their favourite number 10. That should ensure England lead at half-time.
33 mins: Four turnovers in the space of a minute get the crowd excited. Then yet another penalty against Australia for coming in at the side allows England to escape their half. No dazzling breaks from the backs on either side as yet. Workmanlike stuff.
30 mins: Six penalties conceded by Australia so far, none by England - a revolution compared to the Six Nations when Martin Johnson's men were so ill-disciplined. This latest one ensures England escape from their 22 again.
27 mins: England 9 Australia 5! Wilkinson slots over from in front of the posts after Australia are penalised for off-side during that previous attack.
26 mins: England hit back with a concerted spell of pressure, mostly exerted through forward rumbles. Wilkinson eventually hoists a high ball to the tall winger Banahan, who pats back for Monye to power forward. Wilson then receives the ball in centre field and takes a tackle before Care kicks wide to Moody, who can't quite claim for a certain score. No matter, England have a penalty.
21 mins: TRY FOR AUSTRALIA! Banahan feels a Cooper kick into the England 22 bounces on the touchline, but he's wrong and concedes a line-out. It proves costly. Australia rumble forward through countless phases until a ruck on the left produces quick ball. Genia dummies five yards out and nips through a gaping gap to score his first international try. Giteau misses the conversion. England 6 Australia 5!
18 mins: Australia finally get some ball and attack down the right with Genia and then the determined Hynes. Play moves left and it's Giteau who ploughs into the England 22. But that's where the attack breaks down and England win yet another penalty to relieve the pressure.
14 mins: Australia try to counter on halfway, but England's defensive line is super strong and Ioane is penalised for holding on. Wilkinson has a bash from halfway and hits the left post with his penalty kick.
12 mins: A dominant start by England even sees them snatch two line-outs against the head. Banahan then runs into a brick wall before Monye concedes possession with a fluffed dink over the Australia defensive line.
10 mins: England 6 Australia 0! The visitors are conceding early penalties. This time it's against Hynes for not rolling away. Wilkinson snatches the ball, goes through his familiar routine and slots over his second kick of the day from left of centre.
6 mins: Some early inventiveness from England as Wilkinson's cute chip kick nearly finds the dashing Hipkiss.
3 mins: England 3 Australia 0! The Wallabies have seen this before. Care finds Wilkinson, 30 yards out, bang in front of the posts. Down comes that trusty left boot and through the posts goes the drop-kick. That will settle any Wilkinson nerves.
2 mins: England have the early territory and Thompson - another back on the international stage - is off to a good start, finding his man with two line-out throws.
0 mins: Wilkinson, back in a white shirt and getting this match underway with a drop-kick deep into the Aussie 22. Remember to send in your thoughts and predictions.
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England: Monye, Cueto, Hipkiss, Geraghty, Banahan, Wilkinson, Care, Payne, Thompson, Wilson, Deacon, Borthwick (c), Deacon, Croft, Moody, Crane. Replacements: Hartley, Bell, Lawes, Haskell, Hodgson, Goode, Erinle.
Australia: Ashley-Cooper, Hynes, Ioane, Cooper, Mitchell, Giteau, Genia, Robinson, Moore, Alexander, Horwill, Chisholm, Elsom, Smith, Palu Reps: Polota Nau, Dunning, Mumm, Pocock, Burgess, Cross, O'Connor.
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