Robshaw and Owen Farrell were England’s second-half try-scorers after Matt Toomua had crossed in the first half for the visitors. Robshaw’s effort was the charge-down game-changer that exploited English fortune and reflected how poorly even Will Genia is playing.
This fine scrum-half had no impact on the match other than presenting the England captain with a try when the Wallabies knew they should have been up the other end of the field taking a lineout after Mike Brown had stepped into touch.
Dudley Phillips, the sideline official, missed the obvious and Brown’s break-out led to the try.
On such things do Test matche s turn. Australia complained that obstruction by Dylan Hartley cleared the path for Farrell’s try too. Whinging Wallabies? Not really. But England deserved their win, by whatever means.
However there remains a want of penetration in attack, whether they are wielding the back-line rapier or the forward bludgeon. On that basis, the result was more impressive than the performance.
Having seen off Ben Foden and Alex Goode to take the full-back position, Brown gave a bravura show that, his own well-being permitting, indicated he would still be occupying it when Australia return next year and, more important, the following October.
He played on the wing for England last season, demonstrating a frustrated selflessness that appeals to Lancaster as well as being integral to the renewal project after the debacle of the 2011 World Cup.
It is also one reason England will go to the next tournament better placed in body and spirit. “I rode my luck but it worked out and hopefully we can kick on now,†said Brown. “There is so much more to come.â€
If England are even to get out of a World Cup pool that also contains the Welsh, let alone win the trophy, the full-back’s hopeful view will need to have been right.
Article source: http://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/old-crossleyans-set-rugby-union-5835441
England 20 - Australia 13: This victory is only half a step
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