This morning, the Wallabies couldn’t believe they were over the moon on what has been a win they will always remember after defeating England for the first time since 2012 by five points (37-42) at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.
The Wallabies will also be able to take home the Ella-Mobbs Trophy since it’s a one-match series as part of the annual Spring Tour in Europe rather than a three-match contest on Aussie soil during the mid-year that usually takes place every once in a while like a few years.
And it’s never been a better time to have NRL convert from the Sydney Roosters onboard in Joseph-Aukuso Suaalili at outside 13. Yes, he’s been established in league across all the backline roles over the years as he hasn’t played union since he was a teen at schoolboy level. But so far, so good from the man who will do whatever it takes to return the Wallabies’ former glory of old like it was in the past.
Now the work isn’t done yet with Wales to come next weekend on a Monday morning at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. It should be an easy one considering Wales haven’t been that good at all regardless of their next game v Fiji tomorrow, having seen the Wallabies already won all two matches against them back in July on home soil.
Easy to give Len Ikitau the performance he deserves on the inside 12 alongside Rugby League convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalili at outside 13, whom they’ve both been a brilliant pair to work with together right away for the green & gold. They couldn’t stop grinding with the way they clear off these decks while able to find the right moments as seen a few times throughout the match including that game-winning assist for Max Jorgensen from Ikitau as seen every year with the Brumbies. Now with Joseph onboard, let’s hope this is the first of many fresh starts like this win today v England as still long way to go.
Then there’s Angus Bell who continues to be at his best on the loosehead Wallabies front row. It’s also great to see him clearing & locking up the English pack with plenty more to offer in a Suaalili-led Waratahs side next year under ex-Brumbied coach Dan McKellar. Yes, he had his fair share of injuries over the years but everyone needs him to stay fit. We do need him to make up more game-changing performances going into a jam-packed 2025 including the Home British & Irish Lions tour & today’s series win is the first of many they’ve prepared for v one of the best British teams for Joe Schmidt.
And Chandler Cunningham-South has been a revelation off the back of his outstanding start with two early tries for England in the blindside 6 jersey. He’s also Kiwi made too when growing up who can beat his man at the right place at the right time – no wonder he’s been so destructive there as the towering loose forward. But not his day today when England just couldn’t learn their lesson from last week’s close loss v the ABs & they’ve slipped away once again this time both another loss & also the series trophy.
