ENGLAND’S autumn nightmare plunged into deep crisis after they lost a 10-try thriller.
Just as Maro Itoje looked to have saved Steve Borthwick’s bacon with a minute to go, the Red Rose wilted under pressure once again.
ReutersAustralia edged England in the Autumn Series with a heartbreaking last-gap try[/caption]
ReutersEngland almost snatched victory with a dramatic late try[/caption]
GettyMax Jorgensen ran through to break English hearts in overtime[/caption]
This time the clock was nearly three minutes into the red when a huge gap on the England right opened up for Max Jorgensen to plunge another dagger into Borthwick’s exposed back.
It was the fourth straight game that England have lost in the final quarter but this was utterly unforgivable as the brilliance of Marcus Smith ended up counting for absolutely nothing.
Quins ace Smith was the instigator of England’s first four tries, including two in the first 12 minutes from Chandler Cunningham-South and two off the bench in the second half for replacement Ollie Sleightholme.
Yet for all they offered in attack, England’s defence was a shambles as they lost the lead three times including twice in the final five minutes.
After Smith kicked the hosts 12 ahead England capitulated, with a brilliant one-handed pass by rookie centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii sending full-back Tom Wright over unchallenged before skipper Harry Wilson touched down.
Australia controversially stretched their lead when referee Ben O’Keefe ruled there was insufficient evidence to rule Jeremy Williams was in touch before grounding the ball on the left.
But that sparked a huge response, with Sleightholme marking his Twickenham debut with a dream double after quality by Smith, including a stunning touchline conversion to put England back in front with 12 to go.
When it required calm heads, England offered scrambled brains, George Ford firing a pass behind Lawrence with Andrew Kellaway picking up and running in from 45 yards.
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Itoje’s response should have been the clincher but England fell apart once more as Jorgensen ran into the massive hole on the right flank to send the home players to their knees – and pile pressure on the coach.
The brutal test had seen Tom Curry forced off with concussion after he took the knee of Rob Valetini to the head when attempting a tackle in the first half.
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