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65 min: England’s tenacity at the breakdown sees them with a penalty. The then secure the line-out but can;t sticth the move together as they then return the favour, failing to keep the ball on the floor. This is a case of two teams making loads of mistakes. The theme continues as Australia chuck the ball away at the line-out so they’re now back inside their 22 with Dow almost scoring down the right touch.
63 min: England give away possession at the line-out. They’ve not been perfect, that’s for sure. Australia are running ewith intent but can’t breach the blue wall. A raft of changes for both teams, including Aitchison on for Heard and Packer on for Hunt.
61 min: Australia are creaking now. They’ve overshot a line-out and then given away another penalty from the resulting scrum. This one for not binding correcvtly. Harrison punts the ball out upfield.
ShareTRY! England 40-7 Australia (Clifford, 59)
Sneaky sneaky from the prop! England opted to tap and go from the penalty. Hunt shifted it right for Clifford who hit the ball at pace. She had two tacklers for company and seemed to be held short of the linbe, but she wriggled her body, freed her hands and managed to dot down beneath the morass of humanity. Lovely work. The conversion from bang in front is good.
58 min: England go to the back of the line-out where Ward makes the grab. They maul from there and eat up 10 metres, taking them to within touching distance of the line. Australia rally and swamp the ball carrier at the back, preventing the ball from being released and they come away with possession. That’s wonderful defence from the Australians. Though they now need to win the scrum. They can’t. Another enormous scrum from England wins the ball back just five metres short of the Aussie line.
55 min: England are looking sharp now. A swift attack down the left with Heard running a lovely loop round the back has Dow in some space. She gets through the gears and in a flash England have made around 40 metres. But they spill it after doing well to recycle under pressure.Some good, some bad. That’s been the story of the day. Australia have the scrum feed inside the Wallaroos’ patch. The English scrum consumes the Aussies and they eke another penalty.
ShareTRY! England 33-7 Australia (
England have their fifth! The previous try wasn’t given but its immaterial. From the line-out, England keep their shape after the initial splinter. They snake towards the poles where Clifford, with the help of extra bodies behind her, powered over. The simple conversion is made from bang in front.
ShareYellow card! Australia (Maleka, 53)
No doubt about that one. Maleka was high a she went to make the hit on Muir. She has to go off and that might get upgraded to red.
53 min: England have dotted the ball down but they’re checking to see if the try is legit. Or are they checking for a head on head? Either way the try hasn’t been given yet.
53 min: Maleka and Rowland trade kicks. Dow grabs hold of one and opts to run it back. And why not! What a superb run that is, beating tacklers, chewing up metres until she’s cut down on Australia’s 22. The English come flooding forward and an Aussie strays off-side. Harrison hoofs the penalty out for a line-out about 15 out.
50 min: England’s scrum wins a penalty. Just pure power. The line-out inside Aussie territory is clean. They’re on the ball, working through the hands before a forward pass kills momentum. Another mistake under no pressure.
48 min: Australia get the scrum penalty after Muir is called for hinging. The subsequent line-out is messy from the Aussies but they manage to secure the ball. Maleka attempts a flat grubber. There’s a knock-on from an England hand so we have an Aussie scrum, 10 metres further upfield than where the last one was and close to the middle of the park.
46 min: Australia’s skipper Palu is subbed for Tuinakauvadra. The Wallaroos get a scrum after Kildunne tries to keep a move alive with a pass off the deck. In fact, Kildunne copped a blow to the head as she did so. She doesn’t look in good shape. A little wobbly. She’s replaced by Rowland who will slot in at fullback.
After a long break we’ll have the Aussie scrum on halfway all the way on their left.
ShareTRY! England 26-7 Australia (Kabeya, 45)
Australia shoot themselves in the foot! After Kildunne’s quick line out gave the Aussies a let-off, a terrible pass to Maleka from the base of a ruck is spilled and Kabeya pounces on the mistake to score a gimme. Harrison lands the extras from the right.
Sadia Kabeya goes over for the second time in the match and extends England’s lead. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images/ReutersShare
Updated at 13.28 EDT
44 min: Kildunne lands a 50/22 and sprints towards the ball and flings the quick line-out. Not sure why she was rushing but they keep the ball…
43 min: Ward rises high and steals Australia’s line-out. Harrison drops in the pocket to launch a clearing klick but is charged down by the onrushing Duck. The ball bounces and has a few Aussies interested, but it bobbles out. Harrison now has a chance to clear with a 22 drop-out.
41 min: Early penalty in this second half for Australia, straight from the restart after they let it bounce. Halse banana kicks it out for a line-out.
The players are back out. I expect England to up the ante. Can Australia match them? We’ll find out together.
I knew my comment about the anthems would come back to bite me.
Ken McMahon has rightly called me out:
Daniel, back in 1876 we had the same anthem! The current aussie anthem has only been blasting from Stadium speakers for about 41 years. In fact, the latest tweak to the text was made only 3 years ago….
Nice to see England’s Jamie George on the Beeb.
He says it’s “unbelievable” seeing the vibe in the ground.
Why’s it always “unbelievable” with elite athletes?
I’m being unkind. It really is great hearing from the former men’s skipper who has an interesting perspective on a home World Cup.
He says that the men’s team hid away in Pennyhill Park without properly engaging with the public. He says that the women’s side is not making that mistake, creating an atmosphere wherever they go.
Beau Dure, a desperate America fan, has written in:
“US rugby supporters would like to inform the English team that we’re not all bad people. If they could play the way they played in the first two games here, that’d be greatly appreciated.”
So far, not so good as far as the USA’s chances are concerned. But if England can find an extra gear things might get interesting.
ShareHalf-time: England 19-7 Australia
An England counter attack from Kildunne isn’t maintained and Australia kick it out to bring the half to a close.
Hardly a blockbuster. Australia have given as good as they’ve got. England have been well below par but such is their dominance that they’ve scored three tries while playing in second gear.
Australia faded as the half went on and this could get messy unless they can turn the tide.
A short break, we’ll be back in a bit.
ShareTRY! England 19-7 Australia (Kabeya, 39)
They’re over! Water is wet, England score a rolling maul try. I thought they were fortunate to get the initial penalty from Australia’s scrum. But there was no luck involved from the line-out maul that set itself very quickly and then powered over with Kabeya wrestling it down. Harrison’s extras make the score look far more comfortable than the flow of the game suggests.
38 min: England win a scrum penalty. I thought that looked like an early shove from the English, but apparently not. Australia then give another penalty for not retreating 10 metres. Harrison kicks it out and they will sure score from here…
37 min: England make ground off the line-out. They’re showing some slick hands until they don’t. Another knock on under contact gives away soft possession around Australia’s 22.
35 min: Steward hammers Jones in midfield with a mighty carry. The Aussies are building through the phases but can’t make ground. So Maleka gets her head up, spots some space in the backfield and lands her second 50/22 of the game. Wonderful kicking. Australia get the line-out towards the right. They win the ball but England snaffle the ball carrier from the line-out and win a penalty on the ground. Harrison slams a clearing penalty kick out past halfway.
34 min: Kavoa needs a stretcher to leave the field as Pohiva replaces her. England are in the lead, but they’ve not been anywhere near their best.
ShareTRY! England 12-7 Australia (Ward, 33)
Powered over from close range! Once England get their big ball carriers picking and going from close range there really is no stopping them. Close quarters from the line-out on the right ebfore Harrison flung it down the line. Dow made good metres and then it was with the forwards. Short carries. Stiff charges and then Ward, spotting a gap, slid over before an Aussie could stop her. Harrison’s conversion on the angle towards the right touch is a good one.
Abbie Ward is congratulated by her teammates after scoring England’s second try. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesEngalnd fansjoin in the celebrations. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 13.03 EDT
30 min: Good defence from England keeps them patient and when they sniff a chance, Galligan and Matthews hammer Palu with a double team thwack. That kills Australia’s momentum and soon after England get the ball and clear with a long kick ahead. But Australia are back on the ball halfway until they hold onto the ball on the ground and give away a penalty.
Ooof. Photograph: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 12.49 EDT
28 min: Finally, a bit of quality. Off the scrum, Maleka lands a wonder of a 50/22. Australia get the line-out inside England’s red zone and get through their phase work.
26 min: Both teams are making loads of mistakes. This time its an Aussie as Halse kicks a ball straight out. But Harrison returns the favour as, from the top of a line-out, she flings a wild forward pass. So we have an Australian scrum inside their own half. I’d love to say this has been a great game, but it hasn’t.
25 min: Another handling error from England. They secure the line-out but their second phase fizzles to nothing as they spill it in contact. Scrum to the Aussies. If they can exit their half from here they’ll count that as as major victory.
24 min: There’s a delay as Botterman receives treatment. She’s down for some time. Looks like she’s about to get subbed. She doesn’t look in good shape. Some sort of back injury. Clifford comes on. Her first job will be to act as a lifter for an England line-out to the left inside Wallaroo territory.
22 min: Australia steal England’s line-out. That’s three coughed up balls a t the set piece for the Roses. Australia clear. Not very far. England get a line-out on the Aussie’s 22 and Galligan gathers to set a maul. There’s a forward pass! They are not at the races today. England really need to sort themselves out. Breach delayed her pass and by the time she let go Kildunne had drifted in front of her.
The players contest a line-out. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 12.44 EDT
NO TRY! England 5-7 Australia (Cokayne, 21)
Back to front in a flash! Moments ago England were defending their own line. Then, after a clearing kick, a swift counter ruck and an Australian losing her feet at the breakdown, England had a penalty that they kicked to the corner. From there a robust maul powered over Cokayne for a try that nudges England in the lead. That really is the difference between the Roses and every other team.
OH! But hang on! Cokayne spilled the ball. No try! Mad scenes.
England do have the penalty though so they’ll get another go. Yup, Harrison kicks this out for another line-out.
England’s celebrations were short lived after Amy Cokayne’s try was chalked off after it was adjudged that she spilled the ball. Photograph: Ben Whitley/PAShare
Updated at 12.35 EDT
19 min: Australia have the scrum after the break in play and attempt a slick dart down the big blind on the left. England are wise to it and so the Aussies are forced to rebuild from the middle of the park inside England’s 22. Seven phases. Halse grubbers ahead and Hunt gathers under pressure. She’s almost wretled to the ground inside the goal area but she gets a pass under the poles to Kildunne. The world’s best player composes herself with a heartbeat and hoofs a long clearing kick. Brilliant work.
18 min: Australia’s phase play is really impressive. They keep the ball so well. They’re up to seven phases again but have to stop as Talakai – who is having a very busy game – is left prone on the ground and requires attention.
17 min: Australia win the line-out, build methodically towards the right before Wood explodes to the left with a sudden change of direction. Halse is onto the ball and running through a gap. The Aussies are no gathering, close runners are making short metres. They’re inching closer. Talakai carries but is held up! Great combined scrambling defence from England keeps the women in gold out.
15 min: Australia nick another England line-out. That’s two from two. Miller runs and beats a couple of tacklers before she’s hauled down. Australia get through five phases. Six before Maleka dinks a chip ahead. She’s playing with a penalty advantage so worth a go. The Aussies haven’t dominated, but they’ve definitely been the better team. Halse hoofs the penalty to the edge of England’s 22 for a line-out.
12 min: A stodgy play suddenly breaks open as Harisson catches and passes quickly but Jones in midfield shells a simple pass. Had she gathered there were numbers forming to her left with Kildunne among them. Australia can’t pounce in the error but do get the scrum feed inside thier own patch.
11 min: A bit if kick tennis ends with the Aussies with the ball on halfway. Malek shapes to kick again but she’s swamped and can’t do so. In a flash Australia are on the edge of their 22 thanks to England’s rush defence. Eventually Halse clears but can’t find touch and Harrison is countering down the right.
ShareTRY! England 5-7 Australia (Breach, 8)
England hit back immediately! From the restart, they get the ball back soon after. From left to right, Dow had a monster carry in the right tram. Hunt quickly recycled and sent it back the other way before Harrison flung a long floater of a pass for Breach in space on the left. Did it drift forward? They didn’t even bother with a review though it seemed worth a second look. The try stands as the conversion is missed.
Jess Breach tears off towards the try-line … Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesAnd touches down for England’s first try of the game. Photograph: Ben Whitley/PAThen celebrates with Sadia Kabeya (left). Photograph: Ben Whitley/PAShare
Updated at 12.19 EDT
TRY! England 0-7 Australia (Talakai, 6)
Who saw this coming?! Formidable from the line-out, they got a rumble on and stayed connected throughout. There was no stopping Talakai from powering over and the Wallaroos are on the board. A tough conversion from way out left is slotted by Wood. Over to you, England.
Adiana Talakai goes over to put Australia ahead. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesAnd her teammates celebrate. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PAShare
Updated at 12.30 EDT
5 min: From that uncharacteristic mistake from Kildunne, spilling a simple pass on the right wing, Australia get the scrum with no blindside to their right. They’re on the England 22 and get the penalty thanks to a big shove on Muir. Rather than take aim at the poles they nudge to the corner and set a five metre line-out.
2 min: After six phases of lateral movement Malek spots some space in the right corner and lands a great kick. Kildunne has to field it and steps out as she does so. The Aussies get a line-out five out. But they make a total mess of it and Matthews, skippering England, gathers the loose ball. England try to launch an attack down the line from left to right but spill the ball in the opposite tram. Sloppy from both teams.
1 min: Australia pinch an early line-out from England (wearing navy blue) and Maleka hoofs ahead a kick. Kildunne gathers and launches a bomb downfield which the Aussies collect and set an attack from inside England’s half.
Anthems now. Two that have been blasted from speakers and sung around sports stadiums since 1876*
*I don’t actually know if they played the anthems at the start of the first cricket match between the two nations, but for narrative’s sake, let’s go with it.
Anyway, those are done. Kick-off is imminent.
It’s time for the England players to exercise their vocal chords … Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images/ReutersAnd then it’s the turn of the Australians. Photograph: Alex Davidson/World Rugby/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 12.29 EDT
The players are making their way through the tunnel.
These are brilliant scenes. A packed house, players with smiles on their faces, some with expressions like thunder. Gold versus white. The last game of the group stage.
This should be a banger!
England fans, with a smattering of Australian fans amongst them, cheer their teams before the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 pool match. Photograph: Alastair Grant/APShare
Updated at 12.12 EDT
Australia’s head coach used to skipper England.
Not that Jo Yapp has split allegiances:
As a team we very much focus on ourselves.
We’ve reviewed our performance against the USA, and we were proud of ourselves, we did some good stuff, but there are also areas for us to work on.
So this week has been all about us and stepping up and improving in the areas we need to.
There’s just one spot up for grabs in the quarters.
It’s between the USA – who beat Samoa earlier today – and the Aussies.
As Sarah Rendell told us, the Wallaroos need to avoid defeat here by 76 points.
Do that and they’ll progress. Easier said than done, though, against a formidable looking England.
Updated at 11.47 EDT
Fair to say that Alex Matthews was surprised to get the armband for today:
I actually punched him [head coach Mitchell when he told her of her appointment].
Nothing really changes – I have been through this before against the USA in Canada, it’s been rehearsed.
Although I was taken aback; it’s pretty cool especially in a World Cup. We have a phenomenal leadership group here, I spoke to Abby Dow and told her I wasn’t sure if being captain was really me, but she reassured it is – and that there is enough of us around to support
We’ve already had two World Cup games today.
Canada have been in greta nick throughout the competition. Luke McLaughlin was in Exeter to see them:
Aaron Bower was on hand in York to see the USA do their part in a hopeful bid for the knockouts:
Sarah Rendell, our eyes and ears on the ground, has this to say:
The sun is shining in Brighton as fans pour into the stadium with Jess Breach masks, cowboy hats and rose hats. This match is a sell-out and the atmosphere would blow the roof off if this stadium had one. If my maths is correct, Australia just need to avoid a defeat by 76 points to go through to the quarter-finals after the USA beat Samoa 60-0 earlier today.
It’s busy down at the Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium. Photograph: Ben Whitley/PAPlenty of fans are sporting cowboy hats … Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images/ReutersAnd masks of England’s Jess Breach. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images/ReutersCowboy hats aren’t the only headwear being sported by fans. Photograph: Andrew Fosker/ShutterstockShare
Updated at 11.40 EDT
Australia team
The Wallaroos just need a point to progress to the last eight and receive a huge boost with the return of captain Siokapesi Palu.
Absent since early July, the backrower adds real ballast to a side that has continually looked dangerous ball-in-hand.
They’ve got danger players in the back field with teenage sensation Caitlyn Halse needing something close to the game of her young life this afternoon.
Australia: Caitlyn Halse; Maya Stewart, Georgina Fridrichs, Trillen Pomare, Desiree Miller; Faitala Moleka, Samantha Wood; Lydia Kavoa, Adiana Talakai, Asioiva Karpani, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Piper Duck, Ashley Marsters, Siokapesi Palu (c).
Replacements: Tania Naden, Falko Pohva, Bridie O’Gorman, Annabelle Codey, Emily Chancellor, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Tia HInds, Cecilia Smith.
ShareEngland team
Here’s a mad stat: Jess Breach has never been beaten in 49 Tests.
It’s a powerful pack that’ll look to set a platform for the returning Zoe Harrison who is clearly in the driver’s seat for the 10 jersey.
Elli Kildunne also returns and has an immense bench in support.
They really are world class from front to back.
England: Ellie Kildunne; Abby Dow, Megan Jones, Tatyana Heard, Jess Breach; Zoe Harrison, Natasha Hunt; Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne, Maud Muir, Rosie Galligan, Abbie Ward, Morwenna Talling, Sadia Kabeya, Alex Mathews (c)
Replacements: Lark Atkin-Davies, Kelsey Clifford, Sarah Bern, Lilli Ives Campion, Maddie Feaunati, Lucy Packer, Holly Aitchison, Helena Rowland.
SharePreamble
Daniel Gallan
Finally, a test for England. The USA were well below par, Samoa were never going to provide a challenge, so here we are. The Wallaroos are a proper side, one that should have beaten the Eagles last week. Can they cause a seismic upset?
I doubt it, but this will at least give John Mitchell’s team a bit of a tune up ahead of the quarterfinals.
England’s Jess Breach has provided some great lines and wants her teammates to adopt a “predator” mindset. They’ve consumed just about every team they’ve faced over the past four years but don’t have a World Cup crown to show for their dominance.
Some ruthlessness would go down well before the business end of the tournament and what better way to stamp their authority than with a crushing win this evening?
Things get rolling at 5pm BST.
Teams and other bits to come.