England v Australia - The Third Test Review

After everything that England have been through over the last twelve months you could have forgiven Saturday's match day 23 if they’d ran out of steam in this final Test. The opening two Tests, and in particular the rope-a-dope style that they played in Melbourne, were incredibly intense and could have drained them of their last iotas of strength. Yet Dylan Hartley and his players rose again, they found more and emptied their reserves for one final time to repel the most dynamic and complete Australian performance yet. 

Everything that we thought would be possible with the new personnel that Michael Cheka had put in place arrived in Sydney. Matt Toomua added the creativity that they were  searching for, Michael Hooper was outstanding and didn’t deserve to be on the losing side and Will Skelton certainly put himself about. However England found the answers, although it did require another early change from Eddie Jones to put them on the right path. Courtney Lawes’ impact on the match was immense, he was the man that upped their physicality and pushed them into winning the gain line battle again and Maro Itoje proved his Test credentials in the back row. The latter can do no wrong and finishes the year having won all 26 of the matches that he’s started.

Once again I want to shine the spotlight on England’s 10 and 12 partnership as I believe that the development of George Ford and Owen Farrell together has been vital to the touring party's success and again shone brightly in this final Test. We all know that the plan was for Manu Tuilagi to arrive back into the mix and provide that gain line busting, ball carrying threat at 12 yet England haven’t needed him nor any other man that fits in that  mould. Instead the dynamism and creativity provided by Ford and Farrell has out smarted Australia and the instinctive partnership that they had at age grade level is back and flourishing. 

Farrell’s goal kicking is exceptional, he’s delivered 66-points this tour and in Sydney kicked 9 out of 10 shots at goal from all over the park. Almost every time that England have gained a penalty he’s converted it into points on the scoreboard and that unwavering accuracy punishes opponents and helps to wear them down. In defence the Saracen is vocal and combative and takes charge of those around them keeps  them on the right path. Then, going forwards he is a source of attack and creativity having considerably expanded his own game over the last twelve months. Farrell has nerves of steel, he's shown time and time and such unfaltering character in sensational. 

In Australia George Ford has shown all of those that were sceptical about him the full extent of his class this series. The fly-half’s exceptional rugby brain has come to the fore alongside his game management and ability to make the right decision as flat to the line as you can possibly get. Ford has constantly pushed England into the right areas of the field, provided contestable kicks that put Australia under pressure and his sublime handling has created tries and opportunities left, right and centre. England are exceptionally lucky to have two such gifted players in their ranks and their first-class partnership is making this national side tick.

This series England’s pack have taken Australia to the cleaners, their scrum has been a rock solid platform to work off and a source of numerous penalties and points as well as providing a destructive driving maul. While at times the lineout hasn't been perfect, as Steve Borthwick demands, it has still operated at a high level and provided the quick ball needed to work off. During all three tests England's forwards have worked themselves into the ground and haven't ever taken a backwards step. No longer are England able to be pushed around and no longer are they able to be put into reverse at scrum time. Instead they have a gnarly pack and England re the ones making their opponents cower. 

(C) England Rugby

With a 3-0 series whitewash in the bag and the Cook Cup coming back to England head coach Eddie Jones has hailed the ‘fantastic effort’ from his squad but still demands more. He wants consistency and believes that we still haven’t seen what we need to from his squad. As I’ve said numerous times over the past few weeks this singleminded pursuit of perfection is one of the reasons why England are making such great, and quick, strides under his leadership. When he took the job he realised the talent that he would have at his disposal and the response that we've seen to Eddie Jones' coaching methods and man management has been exceptional. 

For now England’s players will not talk or think about Autumn Tests, instead they will return home to their families and let their bodies, and minds, recover. For most it has been the longest and most emotionally and physically draining season of their lives. Following the great lows in 2015 we are seeing the first pages of a new chapter of English rugby being written and the most exciting thing is that this 3-0 series whitewash in Australia is just the beginning.