England achieved a second consecutive series win in Australia with a nervous 21-17 victory in the third and final Test.
Eddie Jones‘ side won in Brisbane last week to keep the series on the line to Sydney in what was likely the final rugby test match at the SCG.
It was a complete performance from England, falling behind an attempt by Wright. However, they took charge of the decision maker as attempts by Freddie Steward and Marcus Smith gave them an 11 point lead with 25 minutes to go.
Folau Fainga’a got the Wallabies within four points as he bulldozered his way across the line to set up a grandstand finish, but England’s defense proved good enough as they took the win in the evening and into the series .
A poor 2022 from England so far, after another disappointing Six Nations campaign followed by a heavy defeat to the Barbarians and then an opening defeat to Australia in Perth, is now entering the summer on a better note, putting pressure on Jones is lit up for next year’s World Cup.
It was a rough start in Sydney from England, perhaps the nerves got the better of it in the opening phase. They got some soft penalties, although Noah Lolesio let them go off the hook with a surprise miss when he kicked the posts.
Loose passes from Nick Frost and then Taniela Tupou forfeited two huge chances for Australia, and despite their dominance it was England who took the lead just before half-time as the boot of Owen Farrell brought three points.
The Wallabies briefly found their clinical lead, Wright and Nic White combined brilliantly and the winger went over into the corner for the first try of the game. Lolesio added another penalty shortly afterwards and the lead was 10-3.
Farrell cut that gap before Eddie Jones decided he’d seen enough and knocked Danny Care off the track with barely more than 35 minutes on the clock.
England were second best by a margin in the first 40 minutes, but they went into halftime with a one point lead. A lineout late at half time provided the platform and although Australia initially kept them at bay, Lewis Ludlam and Tommy Freeman both somehow held back the lead, told the pressure and Steward hit wide down.
Freddie Steward put England ahead just before half time
/ APFarrell extended the lead early in the second half and some opportunism from Smith left England in full control. A lineout from Australia went awry, Lolesio couldn’t save the situation and Smith jumped the loose ball. He had the freedom of the Australian half to face and he had just enough pace to ensure Marika Koroibete didn’t catch up to him.
Australia wasn’t done though, leaving England on their own tryline as they progressed through the stages. Steward kept Pete Samu at bay with a brilliant tackle, but it turned out to be only a slight delay for the hosts.
As the penalty benefits piled up, Fainga’a left Australia with more than three points as he made his way. Lolesio added a simple conversion to narrow the deficit at 21-17 to four points.
The English defense came under pressure late, but they were up to the task and looked confident in the final few minutes to ensure that the long flight home would be a celebratory one.