THE season is finally over for Warrington Wolves’ international players, following England’s slamming by Australia at the London Stadium today.
It is not the way they wanted the year to end as the Kangaroos outclassed England in the second half, rattling up a 36-18 victory and ensuring that their opponents in the Ladbrokes Four Nations Final at Anfield next Sunday will be New Zealand.
Chris Hill and Mike Cooper, both on the field for England today, can now look forward to a rest in preparation for next season with The Wire – as can Daryl Clark and Stefan Ratchford, the other members of Wayne Bennett’s squad not called on this afternoon.
Clark will be disappointed to have been left out against Australia, having been called on off the bench in warm-up win against France, the 17-16 loss to New Zealand and the 38-12 win against Scotland.
No @Darylclark9 is a massive call!! Good luck @Chrishilly1987 and rest of the boys!!
— Joe Westerman (@joewesty13787) November 13, 2016
And Ratchford will be gutted with how the series has panned out for him, not being called on for a third successive tournament involved with the England set-up other than that taster against France in Avignon.
Wayne Bennett selected a third different half-back pairing in this series, Kevin Brown making his first appearance alongside Gareth Widdop.
And although they helped England to mount a challenge in the first half it was a different story in the second 40 minutes.
#LestWeForget pic.twitter.com/MkSC0CRp4O
— NRL (@NRL) November 13, 2016
Australia led 10-6 at half time but went into the final quarter with a 22-6 advantage to put clinically themselves out of reach despite a couple of late efforts from Wayne Bennett’s men.
Hill was effective carrying the ball forward and in defence as England set a platform to twice take the lead in the first half.
The ferocious defence of Hill and second-rower Elliott Whitehead, forcing Josh Dugan backwards 10 metres in the opening Australian set, showed the fire in the belly and got the crowd on side.
Defending their own try line successfully for successive sets helped England’s confidence grow and they went ahead with an 11th-minute penalty goal from Gareth Widdop after Matt Scott’s interference at a Sam Burgess play-the-ball.
#WallofWhite #4Nations
— England Rugby League (@England_RL) November 13, 2016
It's been a nervy start but the England fans are celebrating after Widdop's kick pic.twitter.com/wmKsZ3e71H
Kallum Watkins was deemed by referee Robert Hicks to have been late with his challenge on kicker Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston landed the penalty from where the ball had landed, 12 metre from the posts, to level the scores after 17 minutes.
Tom Burgess replaced Hill and made an instant impact, dragging in defenders on a charge to the line so that on the next tackle Widdop and Jonny Lomax could superbly find Jermaine McGillvary to dive over in the corner.
Try time @J_McGillvary!#4Nations pic.twitter.com/tWnMJnUxK8
— NRL (@NRL) November 13, 2016
Ten minutes later, from a third successive penalty, Australia responded with a try wide out from Blake Ferguson from a stunning Darius Boyd pass and Thurston’s extras from the touchline nudged the Kangaroos ahead for the first time.
The @Kangaroos hit back via @fergyferg4 in the corner! #4Nations pic.twitter.com/mGm6GDLgcc
— NRL (@NRL) November 13, 2016
A Thurston 40-metre penalty goal with the final act of the half, after a Sam Burgess shoulder charge, gave the Aussies a 10-6 lead at the interval.
#WallofWhite
— England Rugby League (@England_RL) November 13, 2016
Plenty of encouragement amongst the England players. Cut out the errors and we will be right back in this 💪 pic.twitter.com/xgIgcG3jeN
The games there for the taking in the second half @England_RL 🏉🏉
— Ben Currie (@BenoCurrie) November 13, 2016
England had a great chance to square the scores early in the second half but Sam Burgess dropped Josh Hodgson’s pass with the try line begging five metres away.
The price was paid four minutes later when Greg Inglis powered over from a set-scrum move 10 metres out and Thurston’s conversion from the touchline moved the Aussies 16-6 clear after 47 minutes.
Too strong @Greg_Inglis!#4Nations pic.twitter.com/PVrDgUNzLO
— NRL (@NRL) November 13, 2016
Our 3 best individual off the cuff attacking players - two sat in the stands, one on the bench. Could do with them all now #4Nations
— Ian Sibbit (@iansibbit) November 13, 2016
Mike Cooper joined the action for the first time, with Hill returning too and further changes following with George Williams replacing Kevin Brown.
But after scrambling defence ended an Inglis charge to the line Matt Scott ran over the top of Hodgson next to the sticks and with Thurston adding the extras it was 22-6 after 57 minutes.
In the next set the Aussies were over again, Cameron Smith spotting Mark Percival’s late retreat and sending Cronk clear down the short side to put Josh Dugan over for another converted try.
Short side raid by the @Kangaroos!#4Nations pic.twitter.com/rys1zplFRF
— NRL (@NRL) November 13, 2016
Widdop exploded on to a Williams pass and he converted too to give England a lifeline at 28-12 with 13 minutes remaining.
#WallofWhite
— England Rugby League (@England_RL) November 13, 2016
Nice effort @garethwiddop 👍 pic.twitter.com/4zNS2QpzLA
Showing only glimpses of good work is simply not good enough when you're playing Australia #ENGvAUS
— Matthew Turner (@MattTurner_WG) November 13, 2016
But Boyd Cordner forced his way over for the Kangaroos with eight minutes remaining to ensure that Ryan Hall’s 31st try in 31 internationals from Mark Percival’s pass was nothing more than a consolation.
In fact, winger Valentine Holmes concluded the scoring with a spectacular dive into the corner in the final two minutes.
England's next appearance will be against Samoa in Australia next May as part of their preparations for the 2017 World Cup Down Under.
England: Jonny Lomax; Jermaine McGillvary, Kallum Watkins, Ryan Hall; Kevin Brown, Gareth Widdop; Chris Hill, Josh Hodgson, James Graham, Elliott Whitehead, Sam Burgess. Subs: Tom Burgess, George Burgess, Mike Cooper, George Williams.
Austalia: Darius Boyd; Valentine Holmes, Greg Inglis, Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson; Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk; Matt Scott, Cameron Smith, Aaron Woods, Boyd Cordner, Matt Gillett, Trent Merrin. Subs: David Klemmer, Michael Morgan, Tyson Frizell, Sam Thaiday.
#WallofWhite #4Nations
— England Rugby League (@England_RL) November 13, 2016
Today's attendance at the @LondonStadium is 35,569. Thank you for your support pic.twitter.com/fkXiY7gWAi
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