Australia’s Pocock ruled out for rest of England series by injury

If anyone thought that beating a southern hemisphere power in their own backyard and securing only a fourth win over the Wallabies in Australia was going to satisfy England coach Eddie Jones, they were not under that illusion for long.

England, who held a 29-13 lead midway through the second half, nearly let the match slip from their grasp as Australia came storming back to get within four points at 32-28.

England flanker James Haskell has been rejuvenated under Eddie Jones, but the influence of Wallabies veteran George Smith has been just as telling.

Haylett-Petty said it was a “bittersweet” first taste of worldwide football, describing the pace as below that of Super Rugby – because of England’s tactics – but far more physical.

Instead, it was England who had the final say when Nowell collected Ford’s superb kick and touched down to start the victory celebrations. “It makes it hard to get the speed of the game going when you get that many penalties”.

A Farrell penalty got England off the mark but it was still one-way traffic as they struggled to cope with Australia’s pace and power – at least until a dose of good fortune fell their way.

Michael Hooper and Israel Folau each went over in an ominous start for the hosts at Suncorp but three penalties from Owen Farrell thrust England back into the contest.

In the trailer shown repeatedly in the build-up to the first Test, pundits including Tim Horan and Phil Kearns mockingly highlighted past English failures and declared a successful series for the World Cup finalists a foregone conclusion. “Everyone said he couldn’t play Test rugby at openside but now he’s played seven Tests in a row there”.

He said: “All we have done is given ourselves one more game in the series”. England, who led 13-29 midway through the second half, nearly let the match slip as Australia came storming back to get within four points at 28-32.

“We’re obviously happy with the result but we can improve significantly”.

Jones’ men were not to be denied, however, as a clever kick from Ford set up Nowell to score in the left corner, Farrell capping a fine display with an excellent conversion.

“But all credit to England, they played their game very well and they deserved to win, no doubt about it”. And Farrell is a totemic player for England: they need him firing at all times to beat the best teams in the world.

“We’ve made history today, but it’s not good enough for us”, Jones said after his seventh straight win in charge. He missed his first shot at goal after the interval, but by hitting the post he put England in good field position.

Farrell converted and kicked another penalty before half-time, as did Australia, as the sides switched round at 19-13.