PERTH, Australia — A battered and bruised Australia
ended an eight-match losing streak against
England with a rousing 30-28 victory
in the first Test in Perth on Saturday.
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The shorthanded Wallabies lost fly-half
Quade Cooper
to injury before kickoff and played the second half with 14 players, but scored
three late tries to draw first blood in the three-match series in front of a
rowdy 47,668 crowd at the Optus Stadium.
It was Australia's first victory over England since
the 2015 World Cup, but the result appeared unlikely after a tumultuous
start.
The Wallabies were dealt a major blow minutes before
kick-off when Cooper was ruled out after injuring his left calf during the
warm-up.
They also lost full back Tom Banks and tighthead prop
Allan Alaalatoa to injuries within a brutal opening 25 minutes and were reduced
to 14 players soon after.
Lock Darcy Swain received a red card in the 34th
minute for headbutting Jonny Hill, who got 10 minutes in the sin-bin for his
part in the fracas.
But the ravaged hosts were able to scramble to a 6-6
deadlock at half-time before consecutive tries to Jordan Petaia and Folau
Fainga'a stunned England, who were unable to make their numerical advantage
pay.
"We had to dig deep, had to go to the well there
a bit today, come up with a lot of solutions," Australia captain Michael
Hooper said.
"Really proud of the guys and the effort they put
in."
It was the fourth defeat in a row for England,
increasing the pressure on coach Eddie Jones with just over a year until the
2023 World Cup in France.
Former Australia coach Jones had been unbeaten against
his old side after taking charge of England after the 2015 World Cup, including
a 3-0 series whitewash six years ago.
'Tough loss'
"It's a pretty tough loss that, but fair play to
Australia," England captain Courtney Lawes said.
"They came with a good strategy and they executed
better on the day."
Australia will try to wrap up the new Ella-Mobbs Cup
in Brisbane next Saturday, with the third Test in Sydney a week later.
England took advantage of a rattled Australia early
through the boot of
Owen Farrell, who was overlooked for the captaincy on his
return from injury.
The visitors looked set for the first try of the match
when Tom Curry broke through the defense and floated a pass wide to Joe
Marchant, who was spectacularly denied by a crunching tackle from Marika
Koroibete.
Australia's injury woes deepened when Banks suffered a
suspected broken arm after landing awkwardly before Alaalatoa hobbled off dazed
after a hit to the head.
The Wallabies hit the front for the first time after
the break when Noah Lolesio converted a penalty.
But their lead was short-lived after loosehead prop
Ellis Genge burrowed over in the right corner for the first try of the
match.
Just when the Wallabies appeared to be wilting, they
found inspiration with right wing Petaia finishing off an attritional
passage of phases in the 64th minute.
Their momentum continued when Fainga'a and Pete Samu
crossed to extend the lead to 30-14 before England scored consolation tries
through debutant Henry Arundell and Jack van Poortlviet either side of the
siren.
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