By Kath 17/6/06
June 17 2006

England moved onto the Telstra Dome in Melbourne for the 2nd Test of the 2006 Summer Tour against the Wallabies. England's Head Coach Andy Robinson made many changes to the team that played in the first test.

Australia vs England Match Review -  17/6/06

England - Another re-shuffled England took on the Wallabies at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne for the 2nd and final test of their summer tour and the decider of the Cook Cup

Once again England Captain Pat Sanderson strode out  onto the park with such authority, it was awe inspiring.  One thing Andy Robinson should not change and that is the pick of Captain.  What a presence Pat Sanderson had as I said last week he reminded me of Martin Johnson and my opinion did not change this week.

England started really well, putting pressure on the Wallabies and their first line out working well also!  4mins in we had a drop goal from England's Andy Goode that only just cleared the bar.  England looking good especially when you consider that these players are not an established team.  0- 3

6mins in and Australia get the luckiest of tries George Smith running onto a ball that bounced luckily his way from Varndell's head and Mortlock converted 7-0

England still keeping the Wallabies in their own half and we had some excellent chances but failed at either the final pass or kick none more so than a chip kick through by Jamie Noon in the first 10mins, one could say 'if only' but it did not.  Having said that, even if he had passed out there were three Australians ready to thump the winger.

14mins a superb cross kick from Larkham to Gerrard ( no not Stephen - wrong game  ;-)  )  Mark Gerrard who beat Tait and dropped on the ball, Try to Australia and for some reason Mortlock missed the conversion - shame!!!  12-3

21mins England showing strength in their maul as it rolled up the field the ball came out wide but again the Wallaby defence nullified the attack. 25mins Penalty to England and Andy Goode made the kick    12-6

At this point I really felt, if we could just score a try and penetrate the Australian defence it would change the game, instead we had England being sloppy in defence with 4 missed tackles and the Wallabies scored again 37 mins and Mortlock converted   HALF TIME 19-6

Second Half :  England injuries to White and Rowntree meant uncontested scrums.  I am sorry but at this level of the game, I find that shocking we should have had some cover.

45mins Australia let rip and another try goes in, this time from Mark Chisholm and again conversion by  Mortlock  26-6 

48 mins Then inspiration from non other than George Chuter prop forward, who showed a wonderful dummy pass and then went over for a Try for England  - Goode missed the conversion. 26-11

This seemed to rally England and give them their due, they tried and tried but again and again it was the Wallabies who seemed to break and get the breaks.  Pen Aus 62 mins Mortlock 29-11

66mins that man Gerrard again, taking advantage of turnover ball goes in for his second try - Mortlock converts. 36-11. 

78mins  A further try this time from Larkham and conversion from Mortlock 43-11 - The game gone but England kept trying and eventually in the final seconds a consolation.  England got their second try from a pass by Balshaw to Varndell - Goode converted 

Final Score 43-18

Comment: The Wallabies look established and comfortable together.  England on the other hand, once again look like a team who have just come together.  It got better as the game went on but the stick that Varndell took every time he got the ball - well you just knew he would either be bundled out to touch or dumped.  And please God why does Balshaw chip when there is no chance in hell of an England player getting to the ball, let alone himself.  

Tait, Varndell need more experience but I don't think we have the time.

Chuter was my man of the match followed by Capt., Sanderson, who I would dearly love to see keep the job permanently.

The thing I keep in the back of my mind is, we have the following personnel still at home Charlie Hodgson, Jonny Wilkinson, Harry Ellis, Sheridan, Vickery, Thompson, Grewcock and Borthwick and some I have missed.  

We need now to work on consistency of team personnel now, we desperately need to settle.