England beat Australia to win series 2-1, a second success for northern hemisphere rugby after Ireland's earlier triumph over the All Blacks; Eddie Jones likes what he saw from young side; try-scorer Marcus Smith revels in dream success; England coach clashes with fan amid celebrations
Sunday 17 July 2022 15:01, UK
England coach Eddie Jones believes his young side are heading in the right direction ahead of next year's World Cup, with a series win over Australia a huge boost.
Rookies Freddie Steward, Tommy Freeman and Marcus Smith starred as England dug deep to complete a series victory over the Wallabies with a 21-17 win in the third Test at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Australia won the opening test 30-28 in Perth but England struck back with a 25-17 victory in Brisbane to take the series to Saturday's decider before Jones masterminded a second series success over his own country after their 3-0 sweep in 2016.
"We weren't at our best in this Test, but we kept fighting and we kept in the game, particularly the defence of our finishers at the end was outstanding and that got us the result," Jones told Sky Sports. "We were just a little bit off, but we kept fighting and it was a great effort by the leaders.
"It's a really positive step. We've always felt the team is going in the right direction. Sometimes the results don't reflect that. At the end of the game we had six players with under 10 caps, so it is an inexperienced squad, who will really benefit from an experience like this.
"They understand how hard they have to fight to win a Test match away from home. Some of our guys have now won two series away in Australia. I am so proud of their efforts. We are in a good position (ahead of next year's World Cup). We have just got to slowly, slowly keep improving. We want to be at our best by next October."
The manner of the series win for England, where they had to come from behind to clinch the success, was particularly pleasing for fly-half Smith.
"We were dreaming about this four weeks ago, it didn't quite go to plan in the first game and we had a long, hard look at ourselves as a group," he said.
"I think it really tested our resilience as a group. It's a young group and the senior boys led it and said 'lads, we've got to believe'.
"I thought we built nicely in the second game and today was good as well."
Australia had the better of the first half, with some bright running, but still managed to head back to the dressing room 11-10 down.
England dug in after the break, showing the same sort of physicality they had in Brisbane, with a third Owen Farrell penalty and an opportunist try from Smith giving them a 21-10 lead, one they held on to having given everything.
"That was tough," captain Courtney Lawes said. "I'm properly spent.
"I think it really showed what it means for us to play for this team. We had a tough start to this match and series, but we showed what we're made of.
"We did what we said we wanted to which was improve week on week. This game was a tough battle, but you learn a lot every week - even when you win."
Jones was involved in an angry confrontation with an Australia fan after being called a "traitor" following Saturday's 21-17 victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Footage posted on social media shows England's head coach being baited by a man wearing a Wallabies cap and holding a pint of beer.
The supporter points a finger at Jones as he walks on to the pitch and says "you're a traitor" twice, provoking a furious reaction.
Jones stalks over to the stand and replies "come here and say it" three times, causing the surprised fan to back off, and is then ushered away by a member of the ground's security staff.
The security guard can be heard saying to the fan "I have spoken to you before".
It is understood that Jones, an Australian who coached the Wallabies from 2001 to 2005, was subjected to hostile abuse when walking to and from the coach's box with the layout at the SCG meaning he had to pass through sections of the home crowd.
"Clowns think they have full go to abuse coaches," Jones told the Sydney Morning Herald when asked about the incident.
The Rugby Football Union and Australian Rugby Union have been contacted for a response.
A week ago Jones spoke of how he took satisfaction from silencing Australia fans through England's 25-17 victory in the second Test at Suncorp Stadium, although it is understood he did not receive the same level of abuse in Brisbane.
"You have got 48,000 people all full of drink and all they want to see is their team win. When you turn them away, it's a great experience. A great feeling," Jones said. "I was coming out from the coaches' box and they all have their scarves on. When did Australians start wearing scarves? It's all the rage isn't it? They are not so smart now.
"Before the game they are coming up saying to me you are going to get belted tonight. Now they are a little bit more quiet. So that's good. I enjoy that."
Jones' experience of abuse from fans is not limited to Australia, however.
On the 2018 tour to South Africa, he hit back at spectators at Ellis Park in a heated tunnel confrontation, standing his ground for 10 to 15 seconds before being taken away by players and staff.
Earlier that same year, he was physically and verbally abused by Scotland supporters in Manchester and when catching a train to London in the wake of a 25-15 defeat at Murrayfield.
The incidents were investigated by British transport police and Jones vowed to not use public transport again.
The bulk of England's touring party return home on Sunday, although Jones and his assistants will spend next week at AFL team Melbourne Storm with a view to developing their coaching skills.
