Australia Squad for England Series 2022 – Wallabies 17-21 England

Sarah Mockford

Australia lose the three-Test series 2-1

Australia Squad for England Series 2022

Australia lost their series against England 2-1 after losing the deciding third Test at Sydney Cricket Ground.

They had looked in control after half an hour, catching out England’s defence and finding space out wide, which ultimately led to a try from Tom Wright.

However, a Freddie Steward try put England 11-10 ahead at the break and Marcus Smith extended that lead when he crossed in the second half.

The Wallabies got back into the game in the final quarter. Folau Fainga’a powered over from close range and Noah Lolesio’s conversion narrowed the gap to just four points with 14 minutes to go. However, they couldn’t break down the visitors’ defence to cross for a winning try and lost 21-17.

Australia team to play England – Saturday 16 July

Reece Hodge; Tom Wright, Hunter Paisami, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete; Noah Lolesio, Nic White; James Slipper, David Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Matt Philip, Harry Wilson, Michael Hooper (captain), Rob Valetini.

Replacements: Folau Fainga’a, Angus Bell, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Leota, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, Len Ikitau, Suliasi Vunivalu.

Second Test – Australia 17-25 England

Australia lost 25-17 to England in Brisbane to take this three-Test series to a decider in Sydney next weekend.

The Wallabies trailed 19-0 after half an hour but got themselves back into the game with tries from Taniela Tupou and Samu Kerevi either side of half-time.

A penalty from Noah Lolesio in the 53rd minute reduced England’s lead to just five points and the hosts had other opportunities in the second half, but they were unable to make any further impact on the scoreboard. England held off the Australia comeback to level the series.

Dave Rennie has already been hit by injuries during this campaign and he could be missing more players for the showdown in Sydney.

Jordan Petaia suffered a head injury early on, Izaia Perese looked to have picked up a serious leg injury after replacing the full-back and lock Cadeyrn Neville was taken off on a buggy having appeared to hurt his knee. The Wallabies’ resources are being stretched.

Australia team to play England – Saturday 9 July

Jordan Petaia; Tom Wright, Hunter Paisami, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete; Noah Lolesio, Nic White; Angus Bell, David Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Matt Philip, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Leota, Michael Hooper (captain), Rob Valetini.

Replacements: Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Nick Frost, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, James O’Connor, Izaia Perese.

First Test – Australia 30-28 England

Australia defied the odds to beat England 30-28 in Perth and open up a 1-0 lead in their three-Test series.

The Wallabies lost fly-half Quade Cooper before kick-off after he was injured in the warm-up, full-back Tom Banks midway through the first half with a suspected broken arm and tighthead Allan Alaalatoa a few minutes later with another injury. Then lock Darcy Swain was sent off in the 34th minute.

Yet despite all that disruption they came through to triumph, with three tries in the last 15 minutes – as well as the boot of Noah Lolesio – decisive. Jordan Petaia scored the first and when Billy Vunipola was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Michael Hooper, Folau Fainga’a and Pete Samu also got over the line to make it 30-14 going into the final minute.

England scored two late tries but the match had already been won – the Wallabies’ first win over England since 2015. Now they will be looking to wrap up the series with another victory in Brisbane next weekend.

Australia team to play England – Saturday 2 July

Tom Banks; Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete; Noah Lolesio, Nic White; Angus Bell, David Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa, Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Leota, Michael Hooper (captain), Rob Valetini.

Replacements: Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Matt Philip, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, James O’Connor, Jordan Petaia.

Australia Squad for England Series 2022

Dave Rennie has named a 35-player Australia squad for July’s three-Test series against England.

Waratahs back-row Michael Hooper will captain the Wallabies squad, which includes six uncapped players – Pone Fa’amausili, Nick Frost, Jed Holloway, Cadeyrn Neville, David Porecki and Suliasi Vunivalu.

Brumbies lock Neville gets his first international call-up at the age of 33 while Vunivalu is selected having impressed for the Reds following his switch from rugby league.

Rennie’s three overseas-based picks for the matches in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney are fly-half Quade Cooper, centre Samu Kerevi and wing Marika Koroibete.

Reece Hodge is arguably the most high-profile omission while Izack Rodda is ruled out with a foot injury. Fraser McReight is another not included, with Rennie saying the back-rower will benefit more from playing in the Pacific Nations Cup with Australia A.

Forwards

Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies, 54 Tests)

Angus Bell (Waratahs, 18 Tests)

Pone Fa’amausili (Melbourne Rebels, uncapped)

Folau Fainga’a (Brumbies, 27 Tests)

Nick Frost (Brumbies, 1 Test)

Michael Hooper (Waratahs, 120 Tests)

Jed Holloway (Waratahs, uncapped)

Rob Leota (Melbourne Rebels, 8 Tests)

Lachlan Lonergan (Brumbies, 4 Tests)

Cadeyrn Neville (Brumbies, 2 Tests)

Matt Philip (Melbourne Rebels, 22 Tests)

David Porecki (Waratahs, 2 Tests)

Pete Samu (Brumbies, 21 Tests)

Scott Sio (Brumbies, 71 Tests)

James Slipper (Brumbies, 116 Tests)

Darcy Swain (Brumbies, 11 Tests)

Taniela Tupou (Queensland Reds, 39 Tests)

Rob Valetini (Brumbies, 20 Tests)

Harry Wilson (Queensland Reds, 10 Tests)

Backs

Tom Banks (Brumbies, 20 Tests)

Quade Cooper (Kintetsu Liners, 75 Tests)

Jake Gordon (Waratahs, 12 Tests)

Len Ikitau (Brumbies, 14 Tests)

Andrew Kellaway (Melbourne Rebels, 14 Tests)

Samu Kerevi (Suntory Sungoliath, 40 Tests)

Marika Koroibete (Saitama Wild Knights, 44 Tests)

Noah Lolesio (Brumbies, 11 Tests)

Tate McDermott (Queensland Reds, 15 Tests)

James O’Connor (Queensland Reds, 62 Tests)

Hunter Paisami (Queensland Reds, 16 Tests)

Izaia Perese (Waratahs, 3 Tests)

Jordan Petaia (Queensland Reds, 18 Tests)

Suliasi Vunivalu (Queensland Reds, uncapped)

Nic White (Brumbies, 49 Tests)

Tom Wright (Brumbies, 11 Tests)

Australia Fixtures July 2022

Sat 2 July, Australia 30-28 England

Sat 9 July, Australia 17-25 England

Sat 16 July, Australia 17-21 England

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