England's Missed Chances Allow Australia to Claim Victory

England’s performance in their autumn opener against Australia was a mix of positives and disappointments. While they started strongly in both their matches against New Zealand and Australia, their inconsistency remains a concern. Coach Steve Borthwick’s tactics, particularly when ahead seem to involve a defensive kicking strategy that stifles their momentum.

This low-risk approach often gives the opposition a chance to counter-attack which has cost England in recent matches. Despite controlling the early part of the game against Australia leading 15-3, England’s decision to close out the match with conservative kicking allowed the Wallabies to regain momentum. Australia capitalized on England’s mistakes, particularly at the breakdown.

Losing Tom Curry to injury early on shifted the balance in the back row, leaving England vulnerable at the ruck. Without a strong jackler, England struggled at the breakdown, allowing Australia’s Tate McDermott to exploit gaps. England’s defense typically strong and aggressive, left rucks unguarded and Australia punished them with a fast-paced, skillful attack.

The Wallabies’ late 83rd-minute try from Max Jorgensen highlighted England’s defensive lapse and inability to maintain their lead. Another puzzling decision was the early substitution of captain Jamie George after 51 minutes. As the leader, George should have remained on the field for key moments in the second half especially given his experience and leadership role in the squad.

Despite these issues, England’s talent is undeniable and they will take confidence into their upcoming match against South Africa. To beat the world champions, England must make better decisions in critical moments and avoid the tendency to sit back once ahead.