Wallabies head to the quarter finals as England’s World Cup dream dies

IN A brilliant performance from the Wallabies, the home side’s World Cup dreams are over, as the Aussies have secured a spot in the quarter finals.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Will Genia of Australia dispatches the ball during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on October 3, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

IT WAS the match all Aussie rugby fans had been waiting for as Australia took on England in a sell out at Twickenham.

The sides hadn’t met in a Rugby World Cup pool match since 1987, but their meeting in the third round of the Cup was one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament.

Australia were too strong for the home side, with brilliant individual performances from Bernard Foley and the backrow combination in Michael Hooper and David Pocock leading the Wallabies to a 33-13 victory.

The match broke a number of records, as Australia notched their biggest ever points total in a game against England at Twickenham, while Bernard Foley surpassed former Wallaby Matthew Burke’s all-time individual points tally against England, with 28 to his name.

As England are now forced to accept the reality that they will play no further role in a World Cup on home soil, the Wallabies will battle it out with Wales next week to see who qualifies top of the notorious pool of death.

Read on below to see how the match unfolded.

SECOND HALF — ‘ENGLAND HAVE EVERYTHING TO PLAY FOR’

Topping off a brilliant individual performance, Foley pushed the Wallaby attack forward, linking with Adam Ashley-Cooper out wide. Ashley-Cooper drew fullback Mike Brown to give Matt Giteau a 15 metre dash to the line to score in his 98th Test. Foley added the extras in a perfect kicking performance to give Australia the victory 33-13 over the home side.

.@giteau_rugby with the icing on the cake #ENGvAUS @rugbyaus What a game! What a try! #RWC2015 #GoWallabies #rugby pic.twitter.com/E9jpLwkREp

— Fantasy Rugger (@fantasyrugger) October 3, 2015

Bernard Foley’s penalty kick made it 26-13 as the commentators announced: “It is Bernard Foley 26, England 13.”

As Australia were awarded yet another penalty, commentator Tim Horan noted England’s hopes of glory in their home tournament may have been shattered.

“Is their World Cup over?” Horan said.

Foley slotted a penalty kick to make it 23-13, surpassing Matthew Burke’s all-time record for the most individual points scored against England, with all 23 to his name. As Owen Farrell would not play any further part in the game, the Wallabies looked to push the game beyond doubt.

With just ten minutes remaining, a huge turning point in the match saw England flyhalf Owen Farrell sent to the sin bin for a tackle on Matt Giteau. Giteau was not even the recipient of the ball when he was hit in the ribs hard by the playmaker. In the same play, league convert Sam Burgess was warned for a high shot on Wallaby No.7 Michael Hooper.

Owen Farrell doesn't mess around #ENGvAUS #Eng https://t.co/SuWHaDbOmd

— Elliot Wagland (@elliotwagland) October 3, 2015

Matt Giteau was penalised at the breakdown for leaving his feet as the momentum appeared to be shifting back towards the home side. A Farrell conversion put England within seven of the Wallabies.

Nick Phipps replaced half back Will Genia with 20 minutes to go in the match, after a strong performance from the Queensland veteran. The Wallabies were heavy on the attack before a wayward ball from Phipps missed everyone and was toed through by England. A scrambling Kurtley Beale recovered the ball for a loss of almost 50 metres.

After a building of phases off the back of an England scrum, the home side stretched the Wallaby defence out wide and found an overlap through winger Anthony Watson. Watson busted through the defence of Bernard Foley and Tevita Kuridrani to reach out and plant the ball, scoring the first try for the Poms. Owen Farrell converted to make it with 20-10 with 56 minutes gone.

The Wallabies were awarded another penalty as England prop Joe Marler was punished for not binding straight on. Foley made them pay for their mistake, nailing another three-pointer to take the Wallabies to a 20-3 lead at the 48 minute mark.

David Pocock secured yet another turnover penalty as the Wallabies managed to relieve the pressure following a dominant scrum by England. Australia were able to push forward into the England half, maintaining their biggest ever halftime lead at Twickenham.

The first half got off to a scrappy start as both teams failed to make any ground. A scrum the Wallabies side of half-way was described as a vital moment in the game by commentator Rod Kafer.

“The next 10 minutes are crucial for England. They need to score first to stay in the game. If the Wallabies score a try it is all over for England,” Kafer said.

FIRST HALF — HOOPER SETS THE TONE

Australia took a strong 14-point lead as they headed into the sheds for half-time. Australia had the momentum heavily swayed in their favour, as key players in Foley, David Pocock and Michael Hooper led the team with action.

A strong run from Pocock set the Wallabies on the front foot, before Foley put Kurtley Beale in space. Beale then sent it back to Foley to give him his second try of the match. The flyhalf once again converted his own try to make it 17-3 to Australia.

Oh dear that poor Cameraman... #ouch #RugbyWorldCup #ENGvAUS #RWC2015 🏉🏉 pic.twitter.com/hpLaQKl8aW

— Chase Davis (@ChaseDavisGolf) October 3, 2015

After being initially dominated at scrum time, the Wallabies won a penalty at the 33 minute mark at a defining point in the half.

A kick from Will Genia at the base of the ruck was charged down as the Wallabies were left scrambling back to recover. Israel Folau was tackled behind the Wallabies goal line to take it back for a kick on the 22.

The Wallabies scrum was penalised for the second time as England kicked back to the halfway mark.

Foley took it to the line and went in for the Wallabies scoring their first try out wide. The flyhalf converted his own try to make it 10-3 to the Wallabies.

Bernard Foley scores for the Wallabies against England. 3-10 https://t.co/EiHpq4U3Nb

— EatSleepRugby (@eatsleeprugby) October 3, 2015

A Wallabies scrum 15 metres out from the England line looked very dangerous for the home side as pressure began to mount.

An England penalty at scrum time saw Farrell knock it over to take level the scores at 3-3 with 11 minutes gone.

First points of the match went to Australia as Bernard Foley knocked one over at the seven minute mark to make it 3-0 to the Wallabies.

An early attacking phase from the Wallabies with an overlap out wide metres out from England’s line was shut down by Mike Brown in rush defence, as Israel Folau failed to get a pass away.

With just one minute gone, a huge moment from Michael Hooper set the tone for the match, with a solid shot on Owen Farrell. The lineout went to England as Hooper knocked the ball in to touch in the tackle.

Originally published as Wallabies head to the quarter finals as England’s World Cup dream dies