In a heart-stopping encounter at a rain-swept Twickenham, England narrowly avoided a major upset against a determined Australian side, securing a hard-fought 19-17 victory in their Autumn Nations Series opener.
Smith's Boot Edges Tense Contest
Fly-half Marcus Smith emerged as England's hero, contributing 14 crucial points with his reliable right boot. His four penalties and a conversion ultimately proved the difference on a day where tries were at a premium and defensive resilience was paramount.
The match began in nightmare fashion for the hosts, with veteran prop Will Stuart being shown a yellow card after just four minutes for a dangerous clear-out. Australia immediately capitalised on their numerical advantage, with powerful lock Jed Holloway crashing over for the game's opening try.
Wallaby Resilience Tests English Resolve
Despite playing much of the first half with 14 men, England gradually worked their way back into contention. Freddie Steward crossed for England's sole try, demonstrating his growing importance in the white jersey. However, the Wallabies refused to fade, with Bernard Foley's accurate kicking keeping the pressure firmly on the home side.
As the clock ticked down, the tension became palpable. Australia launched wave after wave of attacks, testing England's defensive line to its absolute limits in a frantic final quarter.
Defensive Grit Seals the Win
In the end, it was England's scrambling defence that secured the victory. The home side made a remarkable 187 tackles, with Maro Itoje and Tom Curry putting in monumental shifts to repel the Australian onslaught.
"That was proper Test match rugby," said England head coach Eddie Jones after the match. "Australia threw everything at us, and we had to dig incredibly deep. The character shown by the players, especially when down to 14 men early on, was outstanding."
The victory provides England with crucial momentum as they continue their autumn campaign, while Australia will rue missed opportunities in a match they could easily have won. The result sets up an intriguing rematch between the two rivals ahead of next year's World Cup in France.
