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Highlights of the third and final test between Australia and England, in Sydney.
Highlights of the third and final test between Australia and England, in Sydney.
A spectacular second-half try from Marcus Smith helped England secure a 21-17 victory in the decisive test against Australia and win the series 2-1.
Smith used his exceptional pace to run from 55 yards out, after Jonny Hill had interrupted the Wallabies ’lineup and Noah Lolesio fired the ball halfway through the second half. Owen Farrell’s conversion increased the tourists ’lead to 21-10 with a quarter to go.
Folau Fainga’a’s converted try closed him to a four-point play, but England stood firm to complete a memorable final win of the test and a comeback after a slow start in Sydney.
Jones ’team fell 10-3 at the start after an attempt by Tom Wright and Lolesio’s boot. Just before the interval, Freddie Steward’s five and Farrell’s accuracy from the tee had begun England’s recovery.
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Marcus Smith used his exceptional pace to score a try from nowhere in Sydney
Marcus Smith used his exceptional pace to score a try from nowhere in Sydney
“It’s a very positive step. We’ve always heard the team go in the right direction and sometimes the results don’t reflect that,” Jones said after the full-time whistle.
“At the end of the game we had six players [on the field] with less than 10 games, so this is a young and inexperienced team and living an experience like this is fantastic.
“They’re enjoying it, they understand how hard you have to fight to win a test match, especially away from home.”
Danny Care, Ollie Chessum and Lewis Ludlam were selected to start. Chessum and Ludlam replaced Maro Itoje and Sam Underhill, both ruled out by a concussion. He took care of Jack van Poortvliet, who went on the bench.
Dave Rennie made four changes to Australia’s starting XV. Harry Wilson started in the back row and Reece Hodge received the header as a winger. James Slipper returned to the role of loose-headed prop and Nick Frost got his first test start in the second row. Rugby league star Suliasi Vunivalu was selected on the bench, ready to make his debut.
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Tom Wright assured that Australia would take an early lead in the third test
Tom Wright assured that Australia would take an early lead in the third test
At the Sydney Cricket Ground, the first points came within 18 minutes of Farrell’s boot as the England midfielder punished Australia for not rolling.
He also took advantage of the Wallabies ’initial inaccuracy after Noah Lolesio’s drifting penalty attempt and Reece Hodge put in a pass that created a try.
Australia tidied things up and crossed the target after 24 minutes.
Marika Koroibete exploded with an attempt to tackle Care in midfield, before Nic White and Tom Wright timed a one-two perfectly off. After Wright had fired, Lolesio added the conversion and another penalty for a 10-3 lead.
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Eddie Jones hooked Danny Care for Jack van Poortvliet before the break whistled.
Eddie Jones hooked Danny Care for Jack van Poortvliet before the break whistled.
England continued to work with little territory or possession for the rest of the half. Farrell added three more points before Jones decided to replace Care with 86 games for Jack van Poortvliet.
Shortly afterwards, England made the most of their first real field position, working through Tommy Freeman and Steward.
Farrell couldn’t convert and both teams went to their respective locker rooms with a lot to think about, with England keeping the lead at 11-10 ahead.
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Freddie Steward’s final try pinched the lead away from Australia before the interval
Freddie Steward’s final try pinched the lead away from Australia before the interval
Ellis Genge set up England’s stop early in the second half and signaled his intention with a series of gainline bursts. When a penalty came, Farrell rewarded his teammate’s work by a 14-10.
Australia – Essays: Wright (24), Fainga (66). Cons: Lolesio (25, 67). Pens: Lolesio (30).
England – Essays: Steward (40), Smith (54). Cons: Farrell (55). Pens: Farrell (18, 33, 49).
Smith’s magic came five minutes later. First, Hill’s pressure on the lineup dislodged the ball before Lolesio tried to grab it and rescue the proceedings. Lolesio on the other hand, had a terrible day.
He was attacked by the middle of England and Smith set his sights firmly on the line. Three Wallabies began to hunt, with another entering from the left of the park, but Smith’s speed and running lines surpassed them all.
Farrell’s conversion gave England a significant margin of breath with a 21-10 lead.
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Folau Fainga’a rose up after a period of sustained pressure
Folau Fainga’a rose up after a period of sustained pressure
As was the case in the second test, a tense end developed with the Wallabies piling up the pressure. England’s resistance was finally broken and Fainga’a seized.
The conversion further increased the pressure, a last-ditch effort ended the England tour with the right note and got a bold win and a memorable 2-1 series result.
Jones confronts a fan who calls him a “traitor”
Jones was embroiled in an angry clash with an Australian fan after being described as a “traitor” following Saturday’s 21-17 victory at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Images posted on social media show the head coach of England being baited by a man wearing a Wallabies cap and holding a pint of beer.
The fan points his finger at Jones as he enters the field and says “you’re a traitor” twice, provoking a furious reaction.
Jones approaches the bleachers and replies “come here and say it” three times, causing the surprised fan to step back, and then is led by a member of the field security staff.
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You can hear the security guard telling the fan “I’ve talked to you before.”
Jones, an Australian who coached the Wallabies between 2001 and 2005, is understood to have been hostilely abused as he walked to and from the coach’s box with the disposition to the SCG, which meant which had to go through sections of the local public.
“The clowns believe they have completely abused the coaches,” Jones told the Sydney Morning Herald when asked about the incident.
The Rugby Football Union and the Australian Rugby Union have been contacted for a response.
A week ago Jones talked about how he was content to silence Australia’s fans with England’s 25-17 victory in the second round at Suncorp Stadium, although it is understood he did not receive the same level of ‘abuse in Brisbane.
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Freddie Steward’s late test …