International Third Test Preview: Australia Vs. England
International Third Test Preview: Australia Vs. England
Eddie Jones and English rugby got the better of Australia in the second test. Here's what to know about the third and final July test match.
In a rivalry going back over a hundred years, the tally between Australia and England over 54 matches is 26 to 27 (with one draw) in favor of the English. The Wallabies will undoubtedly do their best to tie that up as they head to Sydney for the third and final test match of the series.
Here's everything you need to know about the July 16 match between Australia and England.
Where: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia
The lowdown: England needed a pick-me-up performance this past weekend after Australia snapped an eight-test losing streak against the English on July 2. Eddie Jones’ men certainly got it.
The English visitors went on a 19-0 first-half run to start the game and used that push to comfortably skate away from Brisbane with a 25-17 win, evening up the series and setting up a tantalizing third test this weekend in Sydney, where the victor takes the tour.
Jones, born in Australia and having coached his home nation from 2001-05, improved to 9-1 as England boss against the Wallabies with the victory, He’ll have to attempt his 10th win against Australia without lock Maro Itoje, who has already been ruled out of the final game of the tour after leaving Saturday’s match with a head injury.
As for Australia, they are now 2-5 at home when going against the English, a brutal record that has contributed to the Wallabies current position of sixth in the World Rankings. The late bite that coach Dave Rennie’s side had in the first test in Perth—in which it scored three tries in the final 20 minutes to complete a comeback—was completely gone in the rubber match, failing to score after Noah Lolesio’s penalty kick in the 54th minute.
Now, the Wallabies must come back in full force in Sydney, or the team risks losing a second consecutive visiting tour from England, after Jones swept the Wallabies on their own soil in 2016.