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Rugby

09th Nov 2024

Joe Schmidt masterminds thrilling Australia win over England

Ronan Calvert

The Wallabies have shocked England at Twickenham.

Joe Schmidt‘s Australia have shocked England with a thrilling 37-42 victory at Twickenham Stadium.

This clash of two old rivals was a pulsating ding-dong battle, with five tries scored in the first hour of the contest.

But – believe it or not – that was the boring part.

That’s as the closing quarter of this test match took shape as one of the best you will ever see.

The madness began when England’s Ollie Sleightholme crossed the whitewash in the 69th minute to make it England 30-28 Australia.

Crisis averted by Steve Borthwick’s men? Think again.

Disaster soon struck for the home side as Australia’s Andrew Kellaway pounced on an English mistake to dart downfield and give Schmidt’s side a surprise lead.

England then thought they had secured a dramatic last-gasp winner as second-row Maro Itoje powered over in the 79th minute.

But at England 37-35 Australia – and with just a minute remaining – England were wrong and the visitors were far from done.

Incredibly, the Wallabies continued to battle deep into overtime, before eventually silencing the home crowd with an 84th minute try through 20-year-old Max Jorgenson.

Speaking after the game, Australia captain Allan Alaalatoa beamed ”Mate, I loved it. That was awesome” and you can understand why.

Just when last night’s dour contest between Ireland and New Zealand might have damaged your faith in the international game, this classic sprung out of nowhere to drag you right back in.

Incredible.

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