News

Rugby Union > England's young guns stun Wallabies
By Ed Jackson
June 19, 2010

A resurgent England have upset Australia 21-20 in Saturday's second Cook Cup Test at ANZ Stadium.

The 2003 World Cup-winning hero Jonny Wilkinson returned to the scene of his greatest moment to score the winning penalty goal as England secured just their third win over the Wallabies in Australia.

But while Wilkinson's boot delivered the winning points, it was England's new breed who set up this victory, with youngsters Ben Youngs and Chris Ashton scoring first-half tries for the visitors.

Australian inside centre Matt Giteau scored all 20 points for the Wallabies, including two tries, but had an off day with the boot, missing four penalty shots including an almost unbelievable one from dead in front late in the second half that could have won the game.

While England's scrum was their dominant weapon in the first Test in Perth last weekend, it was barely used on Saturday as an improved defence and dominant field position secured the unlikely win.

The English outscored Australia two tries to one in an entertaining first half, showing far more enterprise than in the 27-17 loss in Perth.

After early penalties had Australia leading 6-3, halfback Youngs stunned the home crowd in the 17th minute when he broke from a line-out into a gaping hole to put England in front.

The Wallabies hit back just four minutes later when a clever inside ball from Quade Cooper released Digby Ioane, who sprinted clear before feeding Giteau who converted his own try to put Australia 13-10 up.

Unbowed, England continued to dominate the field position and went over for their second try in the 26th minute when winger Ashton took advantage of some tired Australian defending to evade James O'Connor and beat Ioane to the line.

Giteau missed two penalty shots late in the half to allow the visitors to hold a 15-13 advantage at the break.

But the Australian centre made up for those misses when he finished a sweeping backline move in the 42nd minute to score his second try and put the Wallabies ahead 20-15 after again converting.

Flood's 44th minute penalty reduced the margin to two and then Wilkinson, freshly on the field for Flood, had an immediate impact with a penalty to put England ahead 21-20.

No more points were scored despite Giteau and Wilkinson both having chances to secure the win for their teams with penalty attempts.
Share |