Eddie Jones’ England secure brilliant win against Cheika’s Wallabies

Australia 28

England 39

OWEN FARRELL SCORED 24 points as England beat the Wallabies 39-28 in a thrilling Test match in Brisbane on Saturday.

The 11-point win was the first ever by England in Brisbane and ensures the visitors head into next weekend’s second Test with all the momentum.

James Haskell was immense for England [file photo]. Source: Andrew Fosker/INPHO

The Wallabies scored four tries to three but were second best for much of the game and were fortunate to get as close as they did.

Farrell kicked six penalties and three conversions in a near-faultless display in front of 48,700 fans at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

England, who led 29-13 midway through the second half, almost let the match slip as Australia came storming back to get within four points at 32-28.

But they held firm and when replacement winger Jack Nowell crossed in the 80th minute, the visitors were able to celebrate taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series for the Cook Cup.

A win looked far from likely after Australia launched a ferocious attack in the opening few minutes, resulting in tries to flanker Michael Hooper and fullback Israel Folau.

England could barely get their hands on the ball and found themselves 10-0 down after only 10 minutes of play.

But the English finally got some possession midway through the half and were able to tighten the play up and string some phases together.

They were rewarded for their effort when the Wallabies were penalised right in front and Farrell kicked a simple penalty.

He got his second minutes later to make it 10-6, but were lucky not to go further behind from the kick-off when Foley sprinted 40 metres to score in the corner.

However, after asking for a replay, referee Romain Poite ruled that Rory Arnold had obstructed Luther Burrell in the lead-up and penalised the home side.

England kicked deep and when the Wallabies infringed again at the breakdown, Farrell added the three points to get to within a point of the Wallabies.

The English were right back in the contest and they hit the lead after Folau threw a poor pass to nobody inside his 22.

Jonathan Joseph toed ahead and when Tevita Kuridrani couldn’t collect, Joseph gathered the ball to cross out wide. Farrell converted to make it 16-10.

Foley closed the gap with a penalty but Farrell kicked his fourth right on halftime to send the visitors into the break six points clear.

They started the second half as they finished the first, full of running against a flustered home side.

They were rewarded when Marland Yarde scored following a superb break up the middle from flanker James Haskell and a long floating pass to the right winger from replacement flyhalf George Ford. Farrell’s conversion made it 26-13 five minutes after the restart.

The English pack were dominating and Australia were rocked when front-rower Scott Sio, who was under enormous pressure from Dan Cole in the scrum, was yellow carded for persistently bringing the scrum down.

A fifth Farrell penalty made it 29-13 but the Wallabies hit back when they finally got some quick ball and some slick backline work saw Hooper cross in the corner for his second to close the gap to 11 points.

Farrell opened the gap with his sixth penalty and a first win seemed certain as the visitors led 32-18.

However, with nine minutes to go the Wallabies were in again when Kuridrani barged over. Foley’s conversion made it 32-25 to England.

A Foley penalty closed the gap to 32-28 but England held firm for a famous victory.

AUSTRALIA: Israel Folau; Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrani, Samu Kerevi, Rob Horne; Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (captain), Greg Holmes; Rory Arnold, Rob Simmons; Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock.

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, James Horwill, Dean Mumm, Sean McMahon, Nick Frisby, Christian Leali’ifano.

ENGLAND: Mike Brown; Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Luther Burrell, Marland Yarde; Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Dylan Hartley (captain), Dan Cole; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Chris Robshaw, James Haskell, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Luke Cowen-Dickie, Matt Mullan, Paul Hill, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Danny Care, George Ford, Jack Nowell.