England silences doubts with dominant 45-22 victory over Australia
Henry Pollock scores twice off the bench as the hosts dominate the Nations Championship clash.
By Samir Doyle ·
England defeated Australia 45-22 on Sunday in a decisive Nations Championship match that silenced recent doubts about the team's form. The hosts scored seven tries against two for the Wallabies, a performance that reversed the momentum following a turbulent period for head coach Steve Borthwick.
The victory marks a sharp contrast to England’s recent struggles in the Six Nations. The team had promised to address internal issues on the field, and the result provided a concrete response to reports suggesting friction within the squad. Australia, expecting a distracted opponent, found themselves outmatched by a high-energy England side that controlled the tempo for most of the contest.
Manny Feyi-Waboso led the early charge. In the second minute, a potential try was disallowed due to a forward pass by Ben Curry. Shortly after, a lineout drive culminated in a try for prop Jamie George. Winger Ollie Chessum added another score in the corner after Feyi-Waboso forced a defensive error. Center Joe Heyes scored England’s third try following a maul, an advantage solidified when Australia’s Angus Bell received a yellow card for an illegal tackle on Feyi-Waboso.
Australia scored their first try just before halftime. Max Jorgensen intercepted a pass from Jack van Poortvliet and sprinted to the line. The Wallabies entered the break trailing 19-3, having spent much of the first half in their own defensive half.
Henry Pollock replaced Feyi-Waboso at the 40-minute mark. The 21-year-old winger made an immediate impact. Van Poortvliet scored shortly after halftime from a long inside ball thrown by Tommy Freeman. Pollock then broke through the cover for his first try at the 54-minute mark. He scored his second try three minutes later, drawing celebrations from his teammates.
Filipo Daugunu and Jeremy Williams scored late tries for Australia to reduce the deficit. Ben Spencer finished the scoring in the final minutes, intercepting a pass to complete the rout. England’s defense and discipline were key factors, as the team limited Australia’s possession in their own territory.
The result provides a confidence boost ahead of upcoming matches against Japan and New Zealand. The team aims to secure a spot in the Nations Championship final, which is scheduled to take place on home turf at the end of the month.
The match featured seven clean breaks by England compared to one by Australia. The performance highlights the team’s ability to maintain pressure when operating with a full complement of players, a factor that has often eluded them this season.
