England Stumble in Tight Test Match Against Australia
England’s inability to seize key moments in international rugby has cost them another tight Test match, this time a shock defeat against Australia at Twickenham.
Steve Borthwick’s men displayed their potential, leading 37-35 late in the game after Maro Itoje’s try, but ultimately failed to close out the victory. The Wallabies’ new star Joseph Sua’ali’i was instrumental, showcasing his athleticism and offloading skills to give the visitors the edge.
“Everyone is gutted. It’s a game we should have won,” admitted Borthwick. “Multiple times we put ourselves in the position to win the game and we didn’t.”
The head coach’s candid assessment is a necessary first step for England to turn the corner. Losing tight matches due to lapses in concentration and execution of crucial moments has become a concerning trend.
“We gave them far too many opportunities. If you turn the ball over that many times, you’re not giving your defence much of a chance,” Borthwick said. “We had to see that game out.”
England’s inability to secure the restart after Itoje’s late try proved costly, as the visitors capitalized to score the winning try through Max Jorgensen. Captain Jamie George admitted some of his teammates had switched off when England were in control earlier in the match, an unacceptable lapse at the international level.
Wallabies’ Resurgence Breathes New Life into Lions Tour
“There is a very real chance that with back-to-back world champions South Africa up next, England will suffer a third straight autumn defeat,” said the expert analyst. “That comes on the back of two summer losses in New Zealand.”
While England fans are rightly frustrated, the RFU is unlikely to press the panic button on Borthwick’s tenure just yet. However, the head coach and his players must quickly address the mental lapses and inability to capitalize on key moments if they are to become a top international team.
The Australian performance, led by the impressive Sua’ali’i, was a reminder of the Wallabies’ resurgence under the guidance of coach Joe Schmidt. This result has breathed new life into next summer’s British & Irish Lions tour, which many had written off.
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