Autumn International Highlights - England v Australia Rugby Union

Time to write another chapter in the autumn test almanac. Ten years ago

there were unprecedented scenes on the streets of London as England

ruled the rugby world. There have been plenty of highlights since And

a few viewpoints, too. And a thumping in Cardiff that took the

spring night of the step of England. Two years another World Cup, nothing

much has changed in the international pecking order. It is

still the southern hemisphere sides that set the standard.

The last two days sending all about the past, with celebration matches

and dinners mark the match in Sydney ten years ago. Today is all about

the present and future, with these two sides in the same group the

World Cup. Lewis Moody was there on the field of play ten years ago So

many unfair comparisons are being made about 1510 years ago to the

team of today. Questions about where are the leaders, the game winners?

Where do you see this side? It is still finding its feet. Courtney

Lawes stepping into that line a rule, for a quiet man that is a big

responsibility. Farrell has had a very important role. In terms of the

Australians, they have very important role. In terms of the

night year. It seems very important role. In terms of the

a much more disciplinarian approach. Given the fact it is

raining, is good that Quade Cooper has come back to number ten? When I

played against him, he could either be brilliant or terrible. This is

the Lord -- the reward for all the effort he has put in. I think in

these conditions, it will sit England's and that will sit Owen

Farrell. -- it will sit Owen Farrell. The clock is ticking on to

the next World Cup. How much are these matches about results and her

much about performance? Having spoken to Stuart Lancaster during

the week, his thought to assess is about high England want to be seen

to be playing, the intent they will play the game with. Ultimately, we

need to win. Today, the first game of the autumn is a big step. I am

confident with this side. I like what he is doing with the young guys

coming in. It is a really exciting line-up at the moment. What they are

in these conditions will have on the match as a spectacle we will find

out night in the company of Brian Miller and Eddie Butler. -- Brian

Moore. EDDIE: ten years ago almost to the

day England won the World Cup. Two years to go before they hold the

next World Cup and the build-up starts seriously right here. It is a

first in the centre for Joel Tomkins. Up front it is a more

experienced look. It is a very mobile, athletic pack. England are

read from the back row by Chris Robshaw. Australia are looking to

play a faster game, too. Leading that would be Quade Cooper, but they

have excitement in the centre, Tevita Kuridrani is a giant waste in

Fiji. Plenty of talent to come off the bench. Ben Morgan, can he

rediscover his best form? Well, Christian Leali'ifano played against

the Lions, he is coming back from injury. George Clancy is the

referee, from Ireland. Clever kick by Quade Cooper. Danger

therefore England. Good afternoon, Brian. Good afternoon. Australia

could have been over the line there! Not taking the kick-off is a bad

mistake for England. Australia are on the front foot It

is not the start that England would have wanted, but I think they have

to play out the first 20 minutes to get some familiarity with all the

new unit. -- units. Good tackling by the new England

centre pairing, Billy Twelvetrees and Joel Tomkins.

Good disruptive work by Joe Launchbury. England are awarded the

penalty. Good work by England's I thought Australia might have a bit

more cogency because they have played more games.

Smooth the strike of the ball by Owen Farrell. England take the

lead. Tom Wood can take, so Australia

through Quade Cooper. side. -- offside. That is Billy

Vunipola not concentrating. That is a cheap shot. Australia did not have

to work for about. -- for that. We are all square at Twickenham

Quade Cooper with his first success. James Horwill has had is the

captaincy taken on them so he can get his game back together,

according to the coach. Brilliant by Mike Brown! He is in

superb form at the moment. Penalty to England, Australia not

behind the rear foot. Mike Brown has been in great form. For a guy who

looks relatively fragile, he is not. He has a very strong upper body

That is one of the things that he does very well. His efforts have led

to the penalty. He was catching up over the shoulders of Will Genia!

Mako Vunipola and Billy Vunipola, they will make dense in the

opposition defence. Have you ever wondered what the top

of a hooker's head looks like? Now you know!

George Clancy has said breaking up. I don't think Stephen Moore can

complain about the facts that it has cramped Orions completely. There is

Julian White, part of the squad that won the World Cup. There was a big

dinner last night, I'm sure it was very quiet, sober, lots of poetry.

It is the draw again, right to left. Normally this is a part of his game

that is very strong. Against Australia, you can afford to leave

six points on the board. His foot just went, didn't it?

Do you think he was looking for a touch or just looking to put it into

space? That was good work by Australia.

Ashley-Cooper ran the inside nine. They have held him up. It has gone

down now... No it hasn't. Good defence in retreat. England not

falling for the dummy pass. Vunipola staying on his man. There is the

inside option. Not taken. Good awareness by Vunipola and strength

to keep his man on his feet. But then again, Genia against Vunipola,

not necessarily fair! This time, Tom Youngs did strike. A

penalty. Quickly taken. Lee Dickson not allowed to do it. He did not

take it from the right place. Got to be behind the scrum. Yes. He tapped

it five metres away. Rowntree will be pleased about the scrum, not

pleased about the play after. It is important England get this

line-out right. It is an attacking choice. They will be looking for Tom

Wood if they can. Courtney Lawes in the middle. Billy Vunipola down the

front. This time it did work. England trying to turn and

straightened. England with the advantage. The referee. Step away.

We know the victim, James Horwill. James Horwill watching them go past

him and then down the side. Once he has gone past, you have got to go

back round on the back foot. Closer, but not close enough. Chance

to run for Marland Yarde. Good tackle by James Slipper, the

prop. Billy Vunipola, this is what he does

so well. The float to Joe Launchbury. England need to be

patient. They have a penalty advantage. There

you see, the Vunipola brothers at their best. Vunipola saw the chance.

It is a question of sporting where and when to pick the ball up with

Launchbury in support. England did not panic and the result is a

penalty. At last. A second penalty for Owen

Farrell. England are in the lead. There was height, from Toomua.

Courtney Lawes takes it. He was trying to get to the ball.

Interesting to throw a full back-up the restart. Aussie rules player.

Used to going and catching. Youngs would have been one of the lifters.

I think the chaser has every right to barge him out of the way? I

agree. How long has this been a committee decision, just get on with

it! Have we had a vote yet? Whatever happens in there, there is good

space on this side where Genia is heading now. He has gone the other

way. Great pass to Folau. Good driving with the legs by the

second row. Genia checks on the whereabouts of

Cooper, who is a long way back. How simple was that? Australia

making the most of the midfield scrum. Here we go. That is a solid

scrum. As soon as that slipped, England were in trouble will stop

always on the back foot after that. This is just straight power play.

Quade Cooper, deliverer of the cutout pass that put Folau in place

-- space. That extends Australia's lead. Five players in the Australian

line-out. Billy Twelvetrees penalised. Bad

couple of minutes for the centre. Yes indeed, England looked like

conceding ten points in five minutes.

It is not the most relaxed pose is it? Great height on the ball. And

the direction very good. The Australian lead is growing.

Good work by Mike Brown. Always Forward pass.

Good work by Mike Brown. Always makes ground carrying the ball. It

may have been a stopping ball behind him. Actually, Toomua did very well

in the tackle. Is there time for an England

line-out? They need to get on with it quickly.

That was a good take by Courtney Lawes. Moore has done well to get in

for Australia. The whistle goes for half-time.

Australia lead at the interval. This is a strange thing, far from the

warmth of the changing room, Australia are out on the pitch at

Twickenham at half-time. Once they were Warriors, the England World Cup

winning squad of 2003. Jason Robinson looks like he still could

be playing. Safely in the hands of Jonny Wilkinson. After the slow

march of the winners of 2003, a decade later, can they put some zip

into the England game? Australia are leading by seven points. Mike

Brown, almost exempt yet again, from any criticism.

Matt Toomua, the try scorer of the first half.

Whatever England have to do in the second half, they have to do it

quicker. They need momentum. They need to start with a tempo back gets

the crowd on their feet. That allows them to get momentum and start going

forward in the game. If Cummins had hung onto that, it could have been

trouble. That was good chasing by Cooper and

Toomua. Folau tried to come up for it.

Twelvetrees could not take it. Everything has gone backwards.

Twelvetrees could not take it. Billy Twelvetrees. The ball not

going to hand. It just leads to a very static game. Dickson tries ..

That has not done anything to add pace.

That is very good work by Brian -- Brown.

REFEREE: it was a late tackle by you. You have to be very careful.

Let's have a look. If he hadn't made it quite so obvious, he might have

got away with that. Unnecessary That is a let off for England, Quade

Cooper misses for the first time. Ewen McKenzie will be disappointed

because that would have taken Australia beyond 1's score. The

crowd is now urging England. Again, it is a penalty against

England. England are putting numbers into the breakdown, but some of them

were not on their feet, I'm sure. Whilst you can praise the

endeavour, the execution also has to be correct. Again, England find

themselves on the back foot. Well done, Mike Ryan

England have a reward, penalty near the half way line. Michael Hooper

penalised. Into touch for Marland Yarde. What a

great tackle by Adam Ashley-Cooper, that saved a try. Although the

passing was absolutely full before then, at least we had a glimpse of

what Marland Yarde can do if he gets the ball in a bit

what Marland Yarde can do if he gets worry is not the blood to Adam

Ashley-Cooper, there is a neck injury way down the pitch.

Scott Fardy is off the field, the referee says he thinks it is

precautionary. Let's hope so. James Horwill somehow wrestled that back.

England will charge time. Try! Chris Robshaw, the captain! Quite rightly,

they are going upstairs. That is good work by a combination

of Tom Wood and Mako Vunipola. TMO: there is no reason you cannot award

the drive. So, that is a score by the captain, Chris Robshaw. Chris

Robshaw will be urging England to kick on my from that.

Chris Robshaw was the quickest to react.

Chris Robshaw was the quickest to the conversion. We

Chris Robshaw was the quickest to Twickenham. Is this ball out of

play? The ball has crossed the plea and of the line, and his feet were

on the line. He was right. -- he was England have stolen it. Tom Youngs,

I think. It needs to go wide. England are content to drive back

Australia. That is a good kick and good awareness by Owen Farrell.

England only had forwards outside. Australia were complaining about

England'swork at the breakdown. So, the game from the kick by 2 --

by Owen Farrell was about 50 metres. Dylan Hartley is on, as is Joe

Marler. England are certainly on the front

football good defensive work by Australia,

but England come again. That was an excellent tackle by Matt

Toomua on Chris Robshaw. Marland Yarde is in acres of space,

on his own. Owen Farrell scores the second try

for England! England take the lead. Australia

for England! England take the lead. about an obstruction. Let's see what

the referee says. REFEREE: could you check for an abstract -- for an

obstruction, please? Australia were convinced there was one. They all

turned round pointing. He is walking back. What do you think? Dylan

Hartley in front of Owen Farrell. I would say try. TMO: not enough

obstruction to disallow the try Try awarded. Dylan Hartley'sobstruction

was not enough. We will now see a game, Australia will not be kicking

the ball in the air any more. Australia will have to play. Good

work there, Joe Launchbury to Chris Robshaw. I thought initially Mike

Brown could have got the ball out, but I was wrong. Good opportunism by

Owen Farrell. It is important for England's to be

disciplined here. That is a

Sitaleki Timani came flying in there! At least they had the decency

to put his arms around him. I think that was OK by Courtney Lawes. That

was OK. Trouble here frustrated. -- here for

Australia. Somebody has to be back for

Australia. I think Tevita Kuridrani got pressure on that. We will have

to have a look. That is touched down. It only needs downward

pressure, it doesn't need control. That will do. You could tell there

was downward pressure because the ball squirted forward. REFEREE:

was downward pressure because the score, 22.

Quade Cooper did really well. That was developing into a sticky

situation. This time Mike Brown doesn't make

Brine, and gives away a penalty That is pure execution. There was no

reason why Billy Twelvetrees didn't get that ball straight to Mike

Brown. That is simple bad discipline.

Ben Mowen clearly offside. England need a dip -- need a deep kick, get

the line-out, pitted in the corner and run down the clock. That is the

first time that we have seen Chris Ashton with the ball in hand.

For a first run might for England, I'm sure they will be well

satisfied. Great tackle by Mike Brown. And by

Ben Youngs. Advantage to Australia. Cummins made the incision.

Cooper did well to hang onto it Gets away from Ben Morgan. They have

got to come all the way back. Gets away from Ben Morgan. They have

Advantage has been played. The crowd don't like it, but George Clancy

gave that a long time. They have gone for the corner.

It is still on its feet. They are all in except for three outside

backs. Robshaw has done well. Was that taken down? It would have been

if I had been the referee. They will have to go through the forwards

because England outnumber Australia in the backs.

England rush back to make the tackles. Toby Flood was there. Was

it a forward pass? Play on. Australia knocked on. Scrum down. It

looked as though the slip of the law would cost them. -- Folau.

get the penalty. Australia pulling. Australia don't know what is

happening, they don't know why the referee is penalising them. The

reason is, they cannot scrimmage. Courtney Lawes, important ball.

The ball is going forward England. It is not a bad time to do it when

you are trying to run down the clock. Less than minutes to go.

In dishes in. Last chance for Australia. -- indecision. Tom Wood

has been influential in the second half.

Moment of the match for me, when he caught the ball behind will go near.

-- Genia. Australia need to get this to

ground. Still off the floor. Last 30 seconds. The job is not quite

finished, but as good as. England have had a clear advantage. I bet

this ball does not come out. I bet it is driven. Ben Morgan might just

roll this forward. Good work by Farrell and Tom begins. Allowed

others to get the ball in. -- Tomkins. They know how disastrous it

might be. They are going for it The penalty. We are into overtime

England can get this off the park and claim the victory. First half

was languid. Second half was better. They were seven down at half-time.

They prevented Australia from scoring in the second half and ended

up winning by seven points. The autumn is off successfully. Talk us

through the moment when you got the past, and you thought, there is a

gap and you could go for that. I checked the space in front and I saw

a gap open up and thankfully took it. What about the possible

obstruction? He was trying to get back. He had run out of line before

that and was trying to get back He did not step across anybody. There

was only ever one score in it, what stage did you think you did not get

this? The last two minutes. We were showing signs we could split them

this? The last two minutes. We were open at any time.

really well and showed good urgency. There was a moment in that much when

you were outstanding. You must have thought, that was great? It is

always great to play in front of this crowd. And when you get your

hands on the ball it is good to show what you can do. I like playing

fullback, I like counter attacking. Was that again that could have gone

either way up the final whistle Possibly, it might have been a draw.

It would have been an interesting outcome. It was a game of two

halves. I thought we battled really well in the first half. We were

battling for possession and opportunity. We were still leading.

I was pleased with the effort. I thought we tackle very well. Scrum

penalties were going their way in the second half. They kept us under

pressure. It is a young team and we will learn from this. We have only

been together nine days. It is a great start for us and plenty to

build on for Argentina next week. Was there any impact from the 2 03

boys? We had spoken all week about what they achieved and what people

be us have achieved. It was about going out there and putting our mark

on it and heading towards the 2 15 World Cup. We wanted to put in a

performance they would be proud of. It was a nice thing to have them

here today. They are getting the pitch ready for next week, for

England against Argentina. But they came through safely enough,

England against Argentina. But they Moody is here and Brian Moore. What

England against Argentina. But they first game is to get a win. It was

an average performance. By both sides. It was bitty and fractious.

They have not played together for a long while. They were able to

control things a bit better in the second half and the opportunities

came for them. It is easy to nit-pick, but let's accentuate the

positives. I thought the pluses with a breakdown. We had predict did

Hooper would be a nuisance but they neutralised him by putting more men

into the breakdown. The Australians were moaning about back to the

referee. And George Clancy said if they come through the middle, and do

it legally, they are entitled to do that. What about the England

midfield? Owen Farrell's report with Billy Twelvetrees was nonexistent in

the first half. It came alive a bit better in the second half. It came

from the inside too. The wingers saw very little of the ball. Mike Brown

was exemplary. Somebody else who had a good game, Vunipola at number

eight. I first game at Twickenham, he was like a battering ram posture

Mark watching him defend people off, Quade Cooper was the first one he

tackled. He gives the team go forward off the line-outs. When you

get into the opposition like that it is easy to bring the rest of the

team into the game. It is not just he is powerful, he is intelligent. A

couple of times he waited and watched and saw the gaps. It

couple of times he waited and him go forward, so he has that

aspect. What I liked is at the back of the scrum, and it looked like

Dickson wanted to pick the ball up and play it, but he kept it in and

we got the penalty. Although there is room for improvement, it was a

win. The next game will be England against Argentina next weekend.

What the Stuart Lancaster do for next week against Argentina, does he

What the Stuart Lancaster do for next week leave it like it is? I

think he will make a few changes because it is an opportunity to

experiment. It will be interesting to see what he does in the centres.

People like Burrell and Eastman are a consideration and they deserve a

chance. We will see Australia a fair bit over the next few weeks, what

did you make of them? In the first half they had the better of the

opportunities. Australia has very good attacking players. It was

disappointing not to see them used today. There try came from mistakes

from England. Australia need to up their game, do what they do best and

go out and play rugby. We did not see the best of them and England

quite rightly, took the result. From a mental point of view, it is a

great kick off to hopefully beat Argentina and then be in the right

shape to face the All Blacks? You don't get momentum from losing.

Whilst it was an average performance, a win against Australia

Whilst it was an average is never unwelcome. On that positive

note, we started talking about England's Autumn almanac and the

first chapter is a positive one We will see you next week that the

England against Argentina. All home nations next weekend. But from all

of us here at Twickenham, good evening.

In Hi, I'm Sam, with the Saturday sport on Three.

Arsenal have extended their lead at the top of the Premier League with a

2-0 win over Liverpool. Chelsea are second, despite losing to Newcastle.

And Man City thrashed Norwich 7 0. England got their Rugby Union

campaign off to a good start. They came from behind to beat Australia

in their opening autumn international. It finished 20-1 .

In Rugby League, England got their first win of the World Cup. They

hammered Ireland 42-0, scoring eight tries. Ryan Hall got a hat-trick.

David