Missing key players, the Wallabies failed to get out of second gear and can have no complaints at their defeat
When even Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is beaten in the air you know that things aren’t going well. It was here, last autumn, that the rugby league convert made his Wallabies debut and immediately established himself as one of the code’s hottest prospects. He left Twickenham with a highlights reel stacked with NBA-style tip-ons and athletic leaps, having played a leading role in a remarkable smash-and-grab triumph.
But in the 20th minute of a stodgy show that felt like watching the Wallabies during the bad old days under Eddie Jones, Australia’s rising star failed to get off the ground. Perhaps Suaalii hadn’t noticed that Tom Roebuck was hot in pursuit of Alex Mitchell’s box kick. Perhaps he was still pondering his two earlier jumps at high balls that came to nothing. Either way, he was caught with his heels rooted to the turf as England’s wing came away with the ball. Seconds later Ben Earl was scampering away for the opening try.
It was that sort of day. There were deficiencies at the breakdown and a lack of punch through midfield. The half-backs rarely sparked a move through the hands, while the loose forwards struggled to work through their phase play around the fringe. One good run was followed by a spill in contact. One of the few highlights over the dreary opening exchanges was a hack upfield by Harry Wilson that almost found touch for a 50-22. It didn’t, despite Wilson’s protestations.
