In Brighton in 2015, Japan’s men’s side coached by Eddie Jones produced arguably the biggest shock in Rugby World Cup history by downing the mighty South Africa.
And while there was no real danger of a similar upset at the same venue on Saturday when England’s women took on Australia, at least there was an air of competition about proceedings.
England had hammered USA and Samoa in their first two Pool A matches and were again comprehensive winners.
But the Wallaroos stood up to be counted, especially before half time.
John Mitchell’s Red Roses still scored seven tries regardless, setting up a quarter-final with Scotland at Bristol’s Ashton Gate on Sunday. The only negatives for England were injury scares for star player Ellie Kildunne and prop Hannah Botterman, but both were on their feet at the full-time whistle.
Coach Mitchell will hope they are fit for Scotland.
England set up a World Cup quarter-final with Scotland by scoring seven tries against Australia
Captain Alex Matthews applauds the crowd in Brighton after her side was given a good test
England captain and player of the match Alex Matthews said: ‘We didn’t have the momentum in the first half. We stuck at it.
‘That was the challenge everyone out there wanted us to have and we showed we can do it. Our line-out wasn’t functioning how it normally does.
‘Australia’s kicking game was phenomenal and really tested our back field. Our substitutes were phenomenal. We couldn’t do it without the whole squad.’
Six of England’s seven tries came from forwards, with flanker Sadia Kabeya and replacement prop Kelsey Clifford both scoring twice.
‘You could see in the first half we definitely got put under a lot of pressure which we needed,’ Kabeya said.
‘There is a lot of stuff to work on moving forward, but we ground out the result and got the job done in the end. We have huge carriers across the pack.’
The best thing about the opening half hour, played in front of a strong crowd of 30,442 with the Princess of Wales among it, was that England were tested.
Finally, they had a challenge on their hands. The Wallaroos opened the scoring through Adiana Talakai and while Red Roses try machine Jess Breach hit back with her now customary score, Mitchell’s team was struggling.
Matthews was named player of the match as England’s forwards stepped up impressively
Star player Ellie Kildunne was forced off with a head injury but was on her feet at full time
There was an inaccuracy to their play and the crucial pass to wing Breach looked forward. Australia’s part in the battle must be recognised. They were outstanding, fronting up to the women’s game’s dominant side with courage and no little skill.
England hooker Amy Cokayne had a try ruled out for a knock-on and Botterman left the field with a back problem. Matthews and Rosie Galligan then stood up defensively with a double tackle and it gave England some impetus.
Abbie Ward went up the other end to score from close range. Zoe Harrison’s conversion of Ward’s effort was struck to perfection and she kicked well throughout.
Two Australian 50:22 kicks helped keep them in the game.
But just before the break, Kabeya’s first gave England a 19-7 half-time lead – one which flattered them and didn’t reflect the balance of the opening period. Australia had 63 per cent of possession as the two teams turned around.
The Princess of Wales watched on as part of an impressive Brighton crowd of 30,442
England finished Pool A as winners but this game would have been good for them long term
But what they didn’t need given they were well in the contest was to shoot themselves in the foot. Kildunne kicked a 50:22 of her own, but a dreadful Australian clearance attempt allowed Kabeya to make it two.
Natasha Hunt did well to put the Wallaroos under pressure. ‘Australia came out firing and it took us a while to work them out,’ scrum-half Hunt admitted.
Kildunne left the field in the second half to sit on the bench after suffering a head injury. She did not undergo a head injury assessment and was immediately removed from the field of play.
Australia’s spirit and will had finally been broken and they went down to 14 when Faitala Moleka was yellow carded for dangerous tackling and making head-on-head contact. Clifford, Botterman’s replacement, benefitted immediately with a brace.
Sarah Bern was the next to score but was then yellow carded for making head contact herself as England ended with 14.
Australia still qualified for the knock-outs despite defeat and will play Canada next.
