FazWallabies ease the pain against England
November 15th 2008 23:25
Martin Johnson was a frustrated onlooker - a far cry from the elation in his face in his 2003 world cup triumph as captain of the English.
Five years on and he could only look on and wonder from the sidelines, as Australia retained the Cook Cup with a 28-14 win at Twickenham, largely thanks to an ill-disciplined performance from England.
Twelve months ago, it was Australia who faltered at the breakdown in Marseille, where they would experience one of their worst losses in history against England in last years rugby world cup.
But under Robbie Deans, the Wallabies stood firm and fought fire with fire. There was not going to be a repeat of last years world cup massacre.
The Wallabies succeeded in neutralising England's tight-five and there was no repeat of the destructive performance which had accounted for Australia in last October's World Cup quarter-final.
England enjoyed 61 per cent of possession overall - but the Wallabies were smarter and pulled clear, with a long-range penalty from Stirling Mortlock and a late try from full-back Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Nick Easter's try late in the first half and a drop-goal from Delon Armitage had helped England earn a 14-12 lead early in the second half.
But it was their ill discipline in Twickenham that allowed Australia to earn a valuable win away from home.
England gave away 10 penalties in this game - seven in kicking range and all but one gratefully accepted by Australia fly-half Matt Giteau, who finished with 20 points.
When Johnson was England captain, Sir Clive Woodward would read the riot act if his team conceded more than nine penalties in a Test match.
Afterwards Johnson admitted his side had given away too many penalties - "simple as that".
"They didn't have to do a lot to score. We made breaks and made the errors afterwards.
"We had more opportunities and territory than them but just didn't score the point.
"We conceded seven penalties and they scored 21 points. We had plenty of opportunities and didn't control the game."
Johnson's counterpart Robbie Deans was happy with the way his troops withstood the physical challenge.
"I'm delighted for the boys," he said. "They put in and they got the reward.
"A lot was asked of them. It was pretty brutal, direct and aggressive but they just kept turning up. They were asked a lot of questions but passed the test."
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