13 minutes of madness see England lose to 14-man Wallabies

AUSTRALIA 30-28 ENGLAND

The Wallabies have defeated England for the first time since the 2015 World Cup after coming from behind, with a man down, to beat Eddie Jones' men.

England were 6-3 ahead when Australian lock Darcy Swain was red-carded for a reckless headbutt on England lock Jonny Hill, after some unsavoury hair-pulling scenes. Noah Lolesio levelled the scores, early in the second half, but Hill returned from the sin-bin and England scored a try through Ellis Genge. Owen Farrell missed that conversion but added a penalty, soon after, and England led 14-9. That was the scoreline, with 16 minutes to play. Jordan Petaia got over for a try in the right-hand corner, though, and sparked 13 minutes of madness that did for the English. [caption id="attachment_345628" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Jordan Petaia celebrates a try for Australia against England. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)[/caption]

Vunipola yellow card as tide turns

Noah Lolesio, starting at 10 in place of the injured Quade Cooper, landed that conversion and the Wallabies were suddenly two clear. Billy Vunipola was then yellow-carded for a high tackle on Australian skipper Michael Hooper, and it was a 14 vs. 14 contest with the game up for grabs. The hosts sensed that momentum was with them and they used the resulting penalty to push into the English 22, to try and get another try. It was duly delivered by Folau Fainga'a, followed by a Pete Samu score that, when converted by Lolesio, looked to end the contest. What followed, though, was some green shoots that England could cling to as they look ahead to the Second Test. First up, London Irish winger Henry Arundell left three gold jerseys for dead with his first touch in Test rugby: https://twitter.com/SkySports/status/1543205872926658560 Replacement scrumhalf Jack van Poortvliet got over for a late consolation try, and his first in Test rugby, as England put some pride in that final scoreline. The day belonged to Australia and we have a cracker of a Test Series on our hands.

Related links:

• Nadine Dorries has done it again, this time mistaking rugby league for rugby union
• Bundee Aki leads powerful Ireland tribute to late Māori rugby star Sean Wainui
• Rugby player wins championship on Saturday, still drinking in full kit three days later

---