| Australia: (6) 30 |
| Try: Petya, Venga, Samu; pens: Lolesio 3 Negatives: Lolesio 3 |
| England: (6) 28 |
| attempt: Genji, Arundel, Van Portvelt; pens: Farrell 3 Negatives: Farrell 2 |
England opened their tour of Australia by losing to the 14-man Wallaby side in Perth, despite scoring twice late.
Luke Darcy Swain received a red card in the first half, with three other players injured before the break.
Australia maintained the scores 6-6 in the first half before Ellis Genji moved to England.
But the Wallabies bounced back again, with Jordan Petya, Fulao Vaenga and Pete Samu scoring in an impressive comeback.
Some solace came to England when undisturbed winger Henry Arundel and junior half Jack Van Portvelt both went late.
But Australia’s win ended England’s eight-straight winning streak against the Wallabies.
Australia suffers injuries and red cards
There was a lot of anticipation ahead of the match over the Test return to England by Danny Kerr, Billy Vonipola and Owen Farrell but the Australian absentees quickly stole the story in Perth.
Fly-half’s Quaid Cooper sustained a calf injury in the warm-up, leaving 22-year-old Noah Lolisio to face England’s Marcus Smith.
That wasn’t even the worst news for Australia, as three more players left the field during the first half.
Linebacker Tom Banks had to go down after a broken arm emerged in a horrific touchdown after a high ball.
He was then followed by prop Allan Alatawa with a suspected head injury before Swain was awarded the red card.
England’s Johnny Hill turned yellow at the same time after the lock pulled Swain’s hair, causing the Australian to bump his head against the Englishman – a red card offense.
Australia was left to play 45 minutes with 14 players, but after two previous penalties from Owen Farrell and one from Lolisio, the home side managed to equalize 6-6 just before the break.
More to track.
line up
Australia: banks; Kilway, Iketao, Kerifi, Koropet; Cooper, White Bell, Boriki, Alaalatawa, Swain, Neville, Liotta, Hopper (captain), Valetini.
Alternatives: Venga, Seo, Slipper, Philip, Samo, Gordon, Lolisio, Pitaya.
England: Air hostess. Noel, Marchant; Farrell, Kokanasega; Smith, Kerr; Genji, George, Stewart, Etoji, Hill, Luz (captain), Carrie, B Vonipola.
Alternatives: Cowan Dickey, M. Vonipola, Hayes, Chissum, Ludlam, Van Portelvet, Porter, Arundel.