The nature of last year’s boilover and the same never-say-die spirit that later sank the Lions and Springboks has sounded a warning
S
mell that? That delicious whiff, sometimes bitter, but all the sweeter for its bluster? 'Tis the distinctive funk of Australia-England sporting acrimony back on the breeze. The Kangaroos and England battling over rugby league Tests. The Lionesses and the Matildas resuming their World Cup feud. Stuart Broad and the Barmy Army playing at villainy before the Ashes next month. And the green grass of Twickenham twitching at the Wallabies’ return this weekend.
Last year’s meeting was a monumental gunfight of multiple twists, with 79 points scored and a lead that changed five times. Australia entered as heavy underdogs and England duly led 15-3 inside half an hour. The Wallabies pegged it back to 18-20 at half-time and then raced further ahead after the break until England gobbled up the 10-point lead with twin strikes for 30-28. With five minutes to go, Australia seized an intercept to go ahead only for England to respond in the 78th minute for 37-35.
Then came the extraordinary moment Australian rugby had waited over a decade for. In the 83rd minute, with Twickenham roaring and every player running on fumes, the Wallabies rumbled downfield. After mauling for seven phases, the gold backline fanned left for one last throw of the dice. A swivel offload, a tip-on pass, a hand-off. Then Len Ikitau surges into the line, fends, draws his man and flicks out the back for winger Max Jorgensen to streak down the line and score. A famous 37-42 victory.
