Painful defeat for England Down Under

Australia 34 England 3

England’s return to the scene of their 2003 World Cup final triumph ended in a predictable and painful defeat as Australia sunk them following an error-marred Telstra Stadium showdown.

The game rarely moved out of first gear, with England suffering a 12th loss from 14 starts against the Wallabies Down Under.

It was their 14th defeat since Martin Johnson lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy in Sydney two and a half years ago, and ninth of head coach Andy Robinson’s unsatisfactory reign.

The teams meet again in Melbourne next Saturday, and with Australia unlikely to play as poorly two weekends in succession, England look set for another fraught afternoon.

The world champions battled gamely, but with so many key players – the likes of Martin Corry, Andrew Sheridan, Steve Thompson, Danny Grewcock, Josh Lewsey, Charlie Hodgson and Mark Cueto – resting at home, it proved to be mission impossible.

Full-back Chris Latham’s sparkling solo try provided the highlight of a miserable encounter, while wing Mark Gerrard and prop Rodney Blake emulated Latham in the second period, with centre Stirling Mortlock booting 19 points from five penalties and two conversions to leave England reeling.

England managed an Olly Barkley penalty in response, and despite some occasional glimpses of attacking adventure from Tom Varndell, Iain Balshaw and Mathew Tait, there was precious little for a 62,000-crowd to enthuse about.

The tourists were horribly outclassed in key areas, and next weekend’s encounter will provide a true test of character for the players and Robinson’s new coaching staff of Brian Ashton, John Wells and Mike Ford.

England made an impressive start amid a muted atmosphere, looking to keep possession alive through some committed recycling work.

Australia though, were not stretched defensively, and they missed a golden chance to go ahead on four minutes from 35 metres, but Mortlock sent his penalty chance sailing wide.

Newcastle centre Tait announced his return after 16 months in the Test wilderness through a slashing midfield break, then wing Tom Varndell attempted an arcing run, but Wallabies fly-half Stephen Larkham cleared the danger by hacking possession into touch.

Larkham’s first attacking threat was to test Varndell with a raking kick, and the Leicester player made a hash of it, fumbling badly before England had enough players in reserve to negate any further threat.

There was little to enthuse the crowd, and with Irish referee Alan Lewis keen to punish every minor indiscretion, the game had a frustrating stop-start nature to it.

The error-count was alarmingly high for both teams, yet new England initially had more to be happy about, containing Australia in midfield and looking to make distance through short-range bursts from skipper Pat Sanderson and flanker Lewis Moody.

Australia’s most threatening moment came from Mortlock, but it was indicative of the Wallabies’ early rustiness when his intended pass to number eight Rocky Elsom drifted aimlessly into touch.

Mortlock edged Australia ahead when England prop Graham Rowntree was penalised for pulling down a maul, finding his range from 35 metres.

Australia then broke clear from the restart after England wing Tom Voyce missed a tackle on Wallabies flanker George Smith, and England’s frustration was underlined when Varndell attempted an ambitious pass out of defence and possession drifted into touch.

Mortlock doubled Australia’s lead through a second successful penalty, and with Australia increasingly probing for gaps, England found themselves stretched.

Barkley though, briefly lifted spirits before the break when his well-placed kick almost sent centre Mike Catt scurrying clear, then he created a great chance for Balshaw.

The Gloucester-bound full-back was agonisingly close to a touchdown, but Gregan managed to get underneath him and prevent the score, although it required some lengthy deliberations from video official Craig Joubert.

England were denied the try, but Australia infringed less than a minute later, only for Barkley to miss a 20-metre sitter.

Australia were relieved to escape, yet despite England continuing to show adventure, they were guilty of some error-strewn attacking play.

The first 40 minutes were distinctly sub-standard, and Australia ended the half deep inside English territory, still striving for a try-scoring breakthrough as Mortlock completed his penalty hat-trick.

England struck the first scoring blow after half-time when Barkley slotted a 20-metre penalty, but Mortlock cancelled that strike out just five minutes later, lifting Australia 12-3 ahead.

England looked to counter-attack through the dangerous Balshaw, who was up-ended by Smith’s late tackle. The visitors though, just could not strike in the critical areas.

Australia looked to exert pressure by sacrificing a kickable penalty attempt for territory after England prop Julian White infringed, and such opportunism gained its reward.

Larkham rifled the ball into touch, and when Australia quickly worked possession to their backs, England were cut open.

Latham easily evaded centre Mike Catt’s attempted tackle, and then cut inside scrum-half Peter Richards for a superb solo score that Mortlock converted for a 19-3 lead.

England had to strike back immediately, and Robinson made a triple substitution, sending on Wasps flanker Joe Worsley for his 50th cap, debut-making hooker George Chuter and lock Chris Jones, with Lund, Lee Mears and Brown respectively making way.

Like most things England tried, though, it was all to no avail.