Ben Donaldson converted a late Max Jorgensen try as Australia kicked off their end-of-year tour with victory over England in an entertaining clash at Twickenham on Saturday.
Jorgensen scored a try in extra time to help the Wallabies to a stunning 42-37 win in the English capital.
It looked as if a see-saw match would end in defeat for the Aussies, who lost five of their six games in this year’s Rugby Championship, when England lock Maro Itoje went over for a try five minutes from time to help edge England 37-35 ahead with the aid of a Marcus Smith conversion.
But, with 80 minutes already on the clock, replacement back Jorgensen went over to give Joe Schmidt’s charges their first win at the home of English rugby since they knocked the Red Rose brigade out of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Joseph Sua’ali’i is producing magic!✨ OUTRAGEOUS!
📺 Watch live on @rugbyontnt 🔥#ENGvAUS #EnglandvAustralia pic.twitter.com/DIB1EICC0Z
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 9, 2024
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Chandler Cunningham-South with a cold try! 🥶
📺 Catch the action live on @rugbyontnt #ENGvAUS #EnglandvsAustralia pic.twitter.com/gdRPz0ynvo
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 9, 2024
This was also just Australia’s second win in their last 12 Tests against England. Victory for the Australians in their opening Test of a tour of Britain kept alive their hopes of emulating the celebrated 1984 Wallabies’ Grand Slam.
By contrast this result meant England had lost both of their opening November internationals following last week’s 24-22 loss to New Zealand, with this reverse their sixth defeat in eight Tests against all opponents.
Defeat at the death for England. An unbelievable finale 😳#ENGvAUS | #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/lCsCL11Isc
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 9, 2024
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Photo: @wallabies/Twitter