Allow Exco Player content
This content is provided by Exco Player and may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to load the content.
After a narrow loss to New Zealand last week, England must have thought things could not get more painful than that. Australia were supposed to be the perfect pick-me-up following a dramatic loss to the All Blacks, but instead they piled on more misery.
The manner of it will sting for England, too. Once again, they looked like they were going to get over the line in a tight game - but their hopes were dashed at the death. When Maro Itoje went over with two minutes to go and Marcus Smith nailed the conversion, England were 37-35 up and within touching distance of a first win this autumn.
Australia, though, roared back with a try that summed up how they played all day. They looked like they were setting up for a drop-goal, but Len Ikitau carried and then threw an offload out of the back of his hand to Max Jorgensen. The wing raced through and went over in the corner, as England players fell to their floor. The conversion was slotted, but by that point those at Twickenham were already beginning to filter out - presumably to drown their sorrows in the nearby bars.
England vs Australia latest news
TRY! Jorgensen wins it for Australia TRY! Sleightholme edges England in front TRY! Wallabies lead extended by Williams TRY! Second for Cunningham-South TRY! Cunningham-South goes over out wideLive updates
Thanks for following!
After a narrow loss to New Zealand last week, England must have thought things could not get more painful than that.
Australia were supposed to be the perfect pick-me-up following a dramatic loss to the All Blacks, but instead they piled on more misery.
The manner of it will sting for England, too. Once again, they looked like they were going to get over the line in a tight game - but their hopes were dashed at the death.
When Maro Itoje went over with two minutes to go and Marcus Smith nailed the conversion, England were 37-35 up and within touching distance of a first win this autumn.
Australia, though, roared back with a try that summed up how they played all day. They looked like they were setting up for a drop-goal, but Len Ikitau carried and then threw an offload out of the back of his hand to Max Jorgensen. The wing raced through and went over in the corner, as England players fell to their floor.
The conversion was slotted, but by that point those at Twickenham were already beginning to filter out - presumably to drown their sorrows in the nearby bars.
REUTERSJamie George reacts
"The system and the principle all works,” the England captain says.
“We know it works but we didn't quite get what we wanted out if it.
"Tonight, it was the collisions. Leaking 42 points at home is unforgivable.
“They got front foot ball and then have some pretty good runners outside."
Doesn't get any easier...
Next up for England, world champions South Africa.
For all there have been positives in the past week, England will have to pull off an upset next Saturday or it will be three defeats on the bounce in the Autumn Nations Series.
Steve Borthwick, unsurprisingly, believes his side are capable of doing it.
Statement win for Australia
Allan Alaalatoa’s ear an absolute mess but he couldn’t care less.
Twickenham silenced, as Australia beat England for just the second time in the past 12 matches between the two nations.
Player ratings
Marcus Smith 8 | Star player
Just like last week, he was England’s best player. Made some great breaks and played a delightful kick through for Sleightholme’s try. Majestic.
Ollie Sleightholme 8
Off the bench and scored two tries. Electric out wide and should push to start against South Africa next week.
Click here for our full England ratings!
AFP via Getty ImagesAt the death!
How about the offload out the back of the hand?
Ridiculously good, let alone at that stage of the match. Nobody was stopping Jorgensen from there.
Simon Collings at Twickenham
Wow.
FT: England 37-42 Australia
INCREDIBLE.
Some match, some finish. Conversion sent over and it’s a 42-37 win for Australia. The most points they have ever scored at Twickenham.
England once again pipped at the post.
TRY! England 37-40 Australia | Max Jorgensen 84'
AUSTRALIA WIN IT!
Great hands out wide, Ikitau with a stunning offload to Jorgensen and he scampers down the touchline. England can’t get across.
England 37-35 Australia
83 mins: Ball bobbles loose - advantage knock-on for Australia. It could not be more tense.
England cannot afford to make a mistake, it’s within penalty range now. Not yet drop goal, though.
Latest updatesOlder updates