Max Jorgensen sealed a thrilling 42-37 victory for Australia against England in a pulsating encounter at Twickenham, where the lead shifted four times in the final quarter of the match. England looked poised for victory when Marcus Smith converted Maro Itoje’s try in the 78th minute, only for Australia to respond heroically and clinch the win in the dying moments.
This victory marked Australia’s second win in 12 encounters with England and their first triumph in five tries at Twickenham since their successful outing during the 2015 World Cup pool stage. Meanwhile, this defeat continued England’s challenging streak, extending to four consecutive losses.
England began the match with an impressive opening, as Ollie Lawrence embarked on a dynamic play that resulted in Chandler Cunningham-South scoring just five minutes in. Following that, Cunningham-South scored again shortly after taking advantage of a quick tap penalty, making it 12-0 for England. However, England’s rhythm was disrupted by an injury to flanker Tom Curry, which allowed Australia to seize control and capitalize on several missed tackles.
Australia responded with newfound energy, highlighted by a remarkable no-look pass from Joseph Suaalii, a rugby league convert, that set up Tom Wright for their first try. Tate McDermott’s quick thinking contributed to Harry Wilson’s try, and a successful penalty from Noah Lolesio handed Australia a surprising 20-18 lead at halftime.
The momentum carried on into the second half, where Jeremy Williams’ acrobatic finish gave Australia a further advantage. England, however, maintained their pressure, with Ollie Sleightholme scoring two quick tries to regain the lead, only for Australia’s Andrew Kellaway to score next, edging them back ahead 35-30. England briefly took the lead again through Itoje, but Australia was resilient, with Jorgensen’s last-minute try sealing the dramatic win.
Looking ahead, England’s next challenge will be against the reigning world champions, South Africa, while Australia is set to face Wales. This match serves as a reminder of the excitement and unpredictability of rugby, showcasing the competitive spirit of both teams. With their grand slam tour off to a thrilling start, Australia has much to celebrate and build upon in the upcoming matches.
In summary, this match exemplified the thrilling nature of rugby, where the outcome can change in an instant, highlighting the unpredictability and excitement of the sport. Both teams have opportunities to improve and demonstrate their capabilities in the upcoming fixtures.
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