Clinical England eliminate Australia from RWC

A clinical performance from England saw the Europeans advancing to the Semi Finals of RWC 2019. They did so by eliminating Australia with a superb 40-16 victory in Oita.

The heavy defeat will surely be the end of Head Coach Michael Cheika while England and Eddie Jones are serious contenders to win the RWC. Standing in their way are a Semi Final against the winner of Ireland vs New Zealand and one of Japan, South Africa, France or Wales in the Final.

Despite winning by a dominant margin of 24 points England found themselves behind early. A good start from the Wallabies saw a break from fullback Kurtley Beale. A subsequent high tackle from N8 Billy Vunipola saw Christian Leali’ifano taking a shot at goal to give Australia a 3-0 lead.

Australia’s lead would not last and it would not be repeated. Instead a double to winger Jonny May put England into a commanding 14-3 lead and the Wallabies would be unable to threaten with a comeback.

The first try saw lateral movement with Tom Curry linking to May in a simple two on one movement. Owen Farrell slotted the sideline conversion. Two minutes later and May was in again. This time it was a mistake from Wallabies flanker David Pocock. His intended pass for Leali’ifano was intercepted by Henry Slade with the speed of May doing the rest.

In the remaining scoring from the opening half Farrell and  Leali’ifano exchanged penalties. The Australian fly half added a further kick to make it a 17-9 halftime scoreline.

Improvement was needed from the Wallabies and the early proceeding of the second-half provided them with great hope. Smart work from center Samu Kerevi put England on the back foot from which England kicked back badly. Winger Reece Hodge then passed well to Jordan Petaia to found Marika Koroibete who had the speed to get past Elliot Daily to touch down.

Leali’ifano landed the conversion to make it a one-point scoreline. Australia, though would fail to score further points while England dominated. The response was immediate with Owen Farrell finding tight head Kyle Sinckler. The 46th minute try was pivotal in the outcome.

Three penalties to Farrell followed before a second interception try completed the scoring. Anthony Watson’s 76th minute try saw England triumphant with Australia eliminated from the RWC two stages earlier to that of RWC 2015.

 

SCORING

AUSTRALIA (16)
Try: Koroibete (43′)
Conversion: Lealiifano (44′)
Penalty: Lealiifano (12′, 26′, 41′)

ENGLAND (40)
Try: May (18′, 21′), Sinckler (46′), Watson (76′)
Conversion: Farrell (19′, 23′, 47′, 77′)
Penalty: Farrell (30′, 51′, 66′, 73′)

 

TEAMS

AUSTRALIA
1 Scott Sio, 2 Tolu Latu, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Izack Rodda, 5 Rory Arnold, 6 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (capt.), 8 Isi Naisarani, 9 Will Genia, 10 Christian Leali’ifano, 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Samu Kerevi, 13 Jordan Petaia, 14 Reece Hodge, 15 Kurtley Beale

Replacements. 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 21 Nic White, 22 Matt To’omua, 23 James O’Connor

ENGLAND
1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Courtney Lawes, 6 Tom Curry, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Billy Vunipola, 9 Ben Youngs, 10 Owen Farrell (capt.), 11 Jonny May, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 13 Henry Slade, 14 Anthony Watson, 15 Elliot Daly

Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Dan Cole, 19 George Kruis, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 George Ford, 23 Jonathan Joseph