The Rugby World Cup rematch at Olympic stadium on Sunday between Australia and England turned out to be a one-sided affair.
Fullback Chris Latham scored his 31st Test try 15 minutes into the second half to clinch Australia’s 34-3 win in Wallaby captain George Gregan’s record-equalling 119th Test. Gregan joins former England front-rower Justin Leonard as the most-capped player in rugby.
It was the first match between the teams at the Olympic stadium since England beat the Wallabies 20-17 in the 2003 World Cup final on flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson’s late dropped goal.
The match, Australia’s first international of 2006, was also the debut for Wallabies coach John Connolly. Connolly replaced Eddie Jones after Australia lost eight of nine Test matches in 2005, including seven in a row.
Stirling Mortlock kicked three penalties to account for all of the first-half scoring on Sunday, and added two more in the second half along with two conversions for a personal tally of 19 points.
Mark Gerrard scored Australia’s second try with seven minutes left in the match, and prop Rodney Blake, making his Test debut, added the third with two minutes left.
Australia featured its most inexperienced front row in nearly 25 years when the trio of Greg Holmes, Tai McIsaac and Blake started the match. McIsaac also made his Test debut, while Holmes had just three Test caps.
”It’s a new squad, new names up front, and we showed patience right throughout the match,” said Gregan (33).
”The commitment from the boys was outstanding. It’s a starting point. The England team are top competition and they will bounce back.”
England had a try disallowed in the 29th minute after Mike Catt hit a chip-and collect before chipping again and watching Iain Balshaw go over the line. But Gregan made a try-saving tackle, preventing Balshaw from touching down, and the video referee ruled it as no try.
Olly Barkley put England on the board with a penalty goal four minutes into the second half before Mortlock restored Australia’s nine-point advantage with a penalty three minutes later.
Latham’s try and Mortlock’s conversion in the 54th minute, another Mortlock penalty in the 68th minute and strong defensive play by the Wallabies put the match out of reach for the visitors, who play Australia again next Saturday in Melbourne.
”We did some things well, and there were some things we need to work on,” said England captain Pat Sanderson. ”We’ve got to raise our game next week.”
Only back-rowers Sanderson and Lewis Moody remained from the starting XV which defeated the Wallabies in the last Cook Cup Test between the countries in November.
Missing from the England side through injury or rest were test Charlie Hodgson, Josh Lewsey, Steve Thompson, Martin Corry, Phil Vickery, Mark Cueto, Ben Cohen, Matt Dawson, Danny Grewcock and Wilkinson. — Sapa-AP
Scores:
Australia 34 (Chris Latham, Mark Gerrard, Rodney Blake tries, Stirling Mortlock 5 penalties, 2 conversions)
England 3 (Olly Barkley penalty).