| Australia (10) 17th |
| To attempt: Wright Disadvantage: Lolesio Pen: Lolesio |
| UK (11) 21st |
| Try: Administrator, Smith Disadvantage: Farel Pencils: Farel |
England fended off Australia to seal a series win, with attempts from Freddie Steward and Marcus Smith on either side of half-time proving crucial.
The Tourists started slowly and were trailing 10-3 after a Tom Wright try late in the first half.
But Steward stretched from close range to take the lead before Smith grabbed a loose ball and sprinted into it.
Folau Fainga’a bent forward but England’s defense withstood late pressure to keep the hosts at bay.
Steward, propsman Ellis Genge and scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet, a core of Premiership champions Leicester, jumped for joy when the referee’s whistle blew.
It’s only England’s second straight win Down Under, following the whitewash of 2016.
This clean win came after a Six Nations Grand Slam and amid a record-breaking winning streak.
This England team is far less stable or strong.
But manager Eddie Jones will be hoping a memorable win at Sydney Cricket Ground will cheer his team up and propel them into a challenging autumn of encounters with South Africa and New Zealand and next year’s World Cup in France.
Continue.
