04.11.2013 England started off there autumn international tests with a tough 20-13 victory against the Wallabies on Saturday, November 2nd at Twickenham Stadium.
A tale of two halves was the verdict from this game, as a second half comeback saw England come out on top in this fixture, thanks to tries from Owen Farrell and Chris Robshaw, handing Australia their eighth loss of the season in a testing year for the wallabies.
This was by no means a spectacular performance from either side, and England themselves took a long time to get out of the starting blocks. Owen Farrell missed three shots at goal in the first half, that could have seen the home team comfortably in front come half time. He did however put England’s first points on the board with a penalty goal and would score one more before the half was out.
Australia struck back, kicking on and moving closer to England 22 yard line. The pressure eventually paid off for the wallabies, after good build up play, the ball found centre, Matt Toomua, who passed Billy Twelvetrees to make the try line just next to the posts. Cooper converted to put Australia in front, and added another three points before half time to leave the score 13-6, in Australia’s favor at the break.
Alas for Australia, England re-grouped and came out in the second half revitalised, scoring two tries which came unanswered by the visitors to clinch victory. The first, a first test try for captain, Chris Robshaw as a Genia kick was chased down. Controversy did surround the try however, as in the build up it seemed England full back Mike Brown was in touch as he caught a ball in the build up to Robshaw’s try. Nevertheless Farrell converted to level the scores just after the 50th minute. England continued that pressure and Farrell found a gap in the Aussie defence to dive over, and then convert successfully. The Australian team left the pitch of Twickenham, having not scored a single point in a very disappointing second period for the visitors leaving the score, 20-13 in favor of the hosts.
England will go confident into the match against Argentina next week before facing New Zealand in the highlight of the Autumn Internationals.
