Victory, glory and history – with a week to spare. England surged to a first-ever series win against one of the southern hemisphere superpowers on Saturday, on the back of an astonishing display of defensive gallantry.
The tourists had declared that they would play with the energy, ferocity and primal intensity of 'desperate' men and they were true to those statements of intent at AAMI Park.
They were utterly overwhelmed by Australia in terms of territory and possession, yet they stood tall, held the line and simply would not be beaten.
England's Owen Farrell (left) celebrates his late try against Australia with team-mate George Ford (No 10)
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| Referee Craig Joubert (right) awards a first-half try to England captain Dylan Hartley in the tie Down Under
England made almost four times more tackles than the Wallabies. They didn't exist as an attacking force at all after half-time, but they somehow ended up scoring the only try during that period of backs-to-the-wall defiance.
Frankly, at times it was nothing short of miraculous that they kept the hosts at bay, but that is what they managed to do, before Owen Farrell's late try out of nothing put the outcome beyond doubt.
This was a collective act of supreme spirit and character, but among the heroes, Chris Robshaw was named Man of the Match for his tireless graft and courage and tenacity – as a perfect way to mark his 50th Test appearance.
James Haskell tackled himself to a hobbling pulp in the cause and Mako Vunipola was another of the titans up front who made this victory possible against all odds and logic.
This result propels England up to second in the World Rugby global rankings and maintains their stunning revival under Eddie Jones.
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| England's No 12, Farrell, touched down, after kicking forward, to help seal England's 23-7 win over Australia
The perfect record of the new Red Rose regime goes on. They have now played eight Tests and won the lot.
They have swiftly regained the Cook Cup to add to their recent Grand Slam and Six Nations title.
In a matter of just nine months, the national team have emphatically swept away the grim memories of their World Cup debacle, at the start of this marathon season.
It has been an astonishing transformation following the pool-stage exit from their own tournament.
The European conquest was a fine feat, but this momentous achievement Down Under heralds the sudden onset of a new golden age.
Never before have England won a series in Australia, South Africa or New Zealand. With so many rookies involved, this could be just the start of a sustained crusade to break the All Blacks' long-term stranglehold on the sport. That must be the next major target.
Farrell missed his first shot at goal – from close to halfway – in the fifth minute, but after having to withstand an early Wallaby onslaught, England's pack began to impose themselves.
There was plenty of niggle and antagonism from the Red Rose forwards and in the 12th minute, tempers boiled over when Chris Robshaw dragged Nick Phipps over by the neck.
Players flew in to a scuffle which led to Dan Cole having his shirt ripped clean off his back.
The visitors kept pressurising their rivals and went ahead in the 19th minute. After kicking a penalty to the right corner, Maro Itoje claimed the lineout cleanly, the pack drove hard at the line and Hartley went over to score.
Farrell converted and added a penalty soon after, to take the lead into double-figures.
At that stage, Australia were doing little to trouble the tourists, but a blasting run by Sean McMahon – straight from a poached re-start – visibly galvanised them.
They soon hit back with a replica of the England try; a lineout drive rounded off by their captain and hooker – Stephen Moore – touching down.
Bernard Foley slotted the wide conversion to reduce the deficit to three points.
Israel Folau was again a menace to the English defence whenever he received the ball and just before the break he went through on the left.
Source: Daily mail
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