England 9 - 18 Australia: Wilkinson not enough

Published on Saturday 7 November 2009 20:29

JONNY WILKINSON'S return to international rugby failed to stop England losing to Australia at Twickenham.

Wilkinson, back after a 20-month injury absence, had guided England to victory on each of his last five appearances against the Wallabies – including the 2003 World Cup final and 2007 quarter-final.

But he could not repeat those heroics yesterday, despite booting England into a 9-5 half-time lead.

Australia turned the tables after the interval and retained the Cook Cup after Adam Ashley-Cooper added to Will Genia's first-half try – and Matt Giteau kicked eight points.

Wilkinson was included in a side featuring two fellow World Cup-winners in Lewis Moody and hooker Steve Thompson, back after two years out.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans had described Wilkinson's return as the single biggest factor for England – and up until half-time, he was right.

Wilkinson was immediately back into the groove, slotting England into a third-minute lead with a drop-goal.

Two powerful runs from Dan Hipkiss kept England on the front foot, before Wallaby winger Peter Hynes was penalised for a dangerous tackle on Ugo Monye – and Wilkinson adopted his familiar pose to drill the penalty.

While Wilkinson was running the show with ball in hand, England were also winning the vital breakdown battle thanks to an inspired performance from Moody.

Australia struggled to cope with England's ferocity in contact, and it was only a misjudgment from Matt Banahan that afforded the Wallabies their only attack of the first half.

The giant England winger thought a diagonal kick from Giteau had bounced into touch, but the lineout went to Australia.

In typically ruthless fashion, the Wallabies capitalised. The ball was spread wide, and Australian scrum-half Genia stole around the fringes of a ruck to score his first Test try.

England were roared on to an immediate response, with Wilkinson's penalty securing England their half-time lead.

But after the break, England's defence was tested immediately. Stephen Moore, Wycliffe Palu and Giteau were all halted as they drove for the line – before Banahan hauled down Rocky Elsom when the Australian captain had a man on the overlap outside him.

The Wallabies had to settle for a Giteau penalty, but England soon invited further pressure on themselves after Geraghty's sliced chip was picked off in midfield – and the Wallabies counter-attacked through Pilau, who was denied by a Moody tackle.

But Duncan Bell, brought on for the injured David Wilson, was penalised at his first scrum – and Giteau nudged Australia into the lead with 20 minutes remaining.

Australia then wrapped up the first leg of a potential grand slam when Ashley-Cooper drove over in the corner ten minutes from time. Giteau's conversion pushed the Wallabies two scores clear and heaped more pressure on Martin Johnson's shoulders.