Guernsey Press

Five things we learned from England’s series victory in Australia

The visitors showed resolve to keep the Wallabies out in their final match despite sustained late pressure.

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England showed resolve to dispatch Australia 21-17 in their decisive final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, emulating Eddie Jones’ class of 2016 in inflicting a series defeat on the Wallabies.

Here, the PA news agency examines five things we learned from the three Tests.

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Work in progress

But there is still much to be done if England are to mount a meaningful challenge for next year’s World Cup. They remain wildly inconsistent within games, never mind from match to match, and it is hard to know which side will turn up – the one who evoked memories of Japan 2019 with a devastating 35 minutes in the second Test or the XV that crumbled in the series opener after establishing a strong position. Thirteen games remain until their opener against Argentina in France next year and Jones must not waste a moment if Ireland, France and South Africa are to be caught in time.

Mismatch or the solution?

Marcus Smith sings the national anthem
Marcus Smith (shown) and Owen Farrell do not appear to be in harmony (Mike Egerton/PA)

Youngs guns shine

Jack van Poortvliet passes
Jack van Poortvliet displayed maturity far beyond his years on the tour (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Wounded Wallabies

As the likes of Ireland and France power onwards, Australia find themselves in a similar position to England – a middling heavyweight who fire only in spurts and are seeking an identity as well as consistency. The Wallabies’ attack is further ahead than that of Jones’ tourists and they display similar determination when their backs are against the wall, but the rate at which they wasted chances and made errors was debilitating. The world game needs a strong Australia and it is to be hoped that their name can be added to the list of genuine challengers for next year’s World Cup.

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