Encouraging Eddie says Wallabies on right track despite morale-sapping loss

Another woeful second half at Twickenham, an eighth straight defeat against England and an injury to skipper Michael Hooper have cast a pall over the Wallabies’ Spring Tour ahead of their final match of the year in Cardiff.

In the fight against Eddie Jones’ England until the last quarter, the Wallabies were overrun late and the pain of a 32-15 defeat was heightened by the sight of Hooper limping off with a foot injury in the second half.

Hooper will have scans on Monday but is in doubt to lead the team in the Wallabies’ clash with Wales in Cardiff on Sunday (AEDT). Prop Allan Alaalatoa, who missed the England clash with concussion, would be in line to assume the captaincy should Hooper be ruled out, along with Nic White.

A winless Spring Tour would be hugely deflating after the Wallabies’ morale-boosting Rugby Championship campaign but Jones - who is yet to lose against his former team - was quick to offer encouragement to Australian rugby, saying he believes Rennie and his team are on the right track for the 2023 World Cup.

“I think they’re going in the right direction,” Jones said after the Twickenham Test.

“I think it’s important for world rugby that we have a strong Wallabies. Dave Rennie’s done a good job, he’s brought a lot of players through.

“It’s a difficult time for them at the moment, they’ve been in the bubble a long time, and they’ve got to show fire, which they did today.

England’s Freddie Steward, second left, celebrates after scoring the opening try.Credit:AP

“I think they should be proud of their efforts today given the circumstances they’ve been in.”

Though it was Rennie’s first loss against Jones, the pattern of the game was very close to the defeats experienced under Michael Cheika.

While they were far from the better side through the first 40 minutes, James O’Connor kicked four penalties to ensure the Wallabies only trailed 16-12 at the half-time break.

But after the break the Wallabies crumbled, following the same script of the seven defeats that preceded Sunday’s clash. England’s composure and pressure proved superior and late points pushed the scoreline out to a comfortable margin.

In the eight Tests since the Wallabies last beat England, Jones’ side have amassed an aggregate score of 171-63 in second halves alone.

England coach Eddie Jones watches his players warm-up before taking on the Wallabies.Credit:AP

To put that in further context, the aggregate score through all eight first halves is 111-88 in England’s favour.

The almost-bankable gap between the Wallabies’ first half and second half standard was hinted at by Jones in the lead up to this match. He suggested the match would be won in the final 20 minutes, and he was on the money. With 20 to play, England only led 19-15.

That’s when Rennie’s side started treating the ball with disregard and on an already ill-disciplined night that saw them lose two players to the sin-bin, the Wallabies were duly punished. Owen Farrell pocketed another two penalties and a try on full-time saw England finish up with a 17-point victory margin.

“We just made too many errors and dumb penalties,” Rennie said.

Australia’s Len Ikitau chips the ball.Credit:AP

“They put us under pressure. Frustrating, but there was a lot of character shown tonight. Not accurate enough, not good enough tonight.”

Jones said the Wallabies should be proud of the effort.

“They hung in there - we were just too strong for them in the last 20,” Jones said.

“If you look what’s ahead for Australian rugby, they’ve got the World Cup 2023 in France, they’ve got the (British and Irish) Lions coming in 2025 and there’s probably been a handshake about them getting the World Cup in 2027. So, they’ve got a lot to look forward to.

“The Australian sporting environment needs a strong Wallabies - and the world rugby environment needs it too.

“So, you’ve got to be positive.

The wounded Wallabies will travel to Cardiff to face Wales in the final Test of the season.

They will likely be without Hooper, who suffered a foot injury and limped off the field in the 55th minute.

Alaalatoa - who is expected to return for the final match of the year alongside Taniela Tupou - and White are the leading candidates to take temporary control of the captaincy.

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