14-man Australia snuck the first Test in Perth, but can they overcome a mounting injury list to claim the series against England in Brisbane on Saturday?
Australia v England
11h55
Suncorp Stadium
To Win Match
Australia 73/100 | Draw 20/1 | England 23/20
Handicap
Australia (-2.5) 9/10 | England (+2.5) 9/10
Despite losing Quade Cooper before kick-off, Tom Banks and Allan Alaalatoa during the encounter and Darcy Swain to a sending off, Dave Rennie’s charges still managed to end their dreadful losing run to the English by finally claiming a 30-28 win.
While the game was a tough watch at times with both sides scrappy. Rennie would have been relieved to have gotten the Test season off on a winning note, and his men now have the chance to seal the series this weekend. The Suncorp has traditionally been a happy hunting ground for the men in gold, and they’ll definitely need that extra lift with Swain, Banks and the influential Cooper ruled out for the remainder of the series.
As for England, serious questions are being asked of Eddie Jones by a number of leading British journalists. The side did well to score 14-points late on in Perth, but the match was over as a contest by then and the 10-12 axis of Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell is yet to come to fruition.
Legendary hardman Courtney Lawes will earn his 100th international cap (95 England, five Lions) on the day, joining an illustrious group of the game’s elite. The Roses skipper will again look to lead the charge against the wounded Wallabies, who are looking vulnerable, but the loss of Tom Curry will even the playing field somewhat.
Verdict: England (+2.5) 9/10
Australia did superbly well to win the first Test in spite of the circumstances, and they’re bloody lucky to be heading to Brisbane this weekend with a series lead. They should edge another nail-biter as England’s growing pains continue.
