England turn on the power to beat Australia, Wales down Springboks

By Mitch Phillips

England ended their November on a high as they produced an excellent performance to beat Australia 26-17 on Saturday but the Wallabies showed enough to suggest there will be nothing between the teams when they meet again in the World Cup.

England produced their best 40 minutes for a long time to lead 13-3 at half-time after a superbly-worked try for Ben Morgan and two penalties from George Ford, with their pack supremely dominant and the backs finally showing some real penetration.

Ever-dangerous Australia hit back with a try by Bernard Foley, a huge England scrum gave number eight Morgan his second before Wallaby replacement Will Skelton replied again in an all-action second half.

Australia, already beaten by France and Ireland, continued to look dangerous but England defended well and, fittingly, a huge rolling maul set up Ford for the all-important 78th-minute penalty that made the game safe.

In Cardiff meanwhile, Wales ended their long and frustrating wait for victory over a southern hemisphere heavyweight when Leigh Halfpenny kicked them to a 12-6 victory over South Africa.

Welsh celebrations were at odds with Springbok gloom. Among the World Cup favourites when they return to these shores next year, their northern hemisphere tour was marred by an apparent serious leg injury suffered by captain and centre Jean de Villiers.

It was only a second win for Wales in 28 games against the big three of New Zealand, Australia and the Springboks, and the first over South Africa since 1999 having lost their last 16 before yesterday’s triumph.

Wales had come agonsingly close to beating the Springboks in June, a late converted penalty try condemning them to a 31-30 defeat in Nelspruit.

In a dress rehearsal for a possible World Cup quarter-final meeting next year if both progress from the pool stage, Pat Lambie landed two penalties for the tired-looking Springboks who go home after suffering tour defeats against Ireland and Wales, along with victories over England and Italy.

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