All the talk in the lead up to this test was about whether the Wallabies front row have learnt anything and parity, or better, would be achieved or would we be in for more of the same? Well, the stage was set, 5 minutes in and we have the first scrum set. It is a wallabies feed, the tension is palpable. Crouch… Touch… Pause… … … ENGAGE… The wallabies are pinged for an early engagement. Not looking good, but the Poms go for the scrum and something strange happened, the good guys wheeled the scrum, another one is set and the scrum holds. This isn’t going to script. Is there redemption in the air?
Outside of the scrum contest, there was a little more in it. The Poms had sped up the speed of the game, and Moody and his unwashed brethren had taken the Fijian game plan from a couple of weeks back and crossing out Giteau replacing it with Cooper. Cooper handled this well, mixing up his game sufficiently, and even using it to his advantage, putting players into the gaps created by his attention.
The Wallabies headed into the sheds at half time down 13-15 and two tries to one. On the way off the field, Drew Mitchell was interviewed sideline, saying how England had stood up this week, but the wallabies were not helping themselves, with silly little mistakes trying to get out of their own half causing them problems and bringing the English back into the game. The stats supported this, with the poms enjoying a majority of possession and territory.
The second half followed a similar script, Notable for Johnny coming on to replace Flood 10 minutes in, and slotted a penalty shortly after to the biggest boo of the night. The terrible refereeing being the main talking point with the Poms seemingly able to do anything they like and be immune to cards and even penalties at time. Digby refused the stretcher, but still went off with what looked to be a shoulder injury and Gits lost the ability to kick simple penalties, some would say losing the game for the Aussies with a miss from right in front. A harsh criticism given he scored all the points for the team.
In short, the Wallabies were not good enough, being pushed around at will by the Poms, who deserved the win. The scrum held well, gaining at least parity at times while never being dominant. All in all, a hollow end to the series despite the successful Cook Cup defence.
Wallabies 20 (Tries: Giteau 2. Conv: Giteau 2/2 Pen: Giteau 2/6) defeated by England 21 (Tries: Youngs, Ashton Pens: Flood 2/2, Wilkinson 1/2 Conv: Flood 1/2). Official crowd figure: 48,392. MoM Nick Easter
