The devastated Wallabies are dealing with a crushing series defeat because they never had the clinical edge to turn their chances into points as England did.
The 21-17 loss at the SCG was a dream-killer. The Wallabies scored two tries but blowing two clear chances in their dominant opening 20 minutes was crucial.
It was a repeat of chances frittered away in the second half of the second Test in Brisbane a week earlier.
Huge credit to England. To lose the opening Test and come back to win the series 2-1 was superb.
There were more than 46,000 at the SCG. The series has been a winner with the fans but they will feel the sour finish.
The Wallabies had their chances to take a major leap forward to show they could shed the baggage of inferiority against England. But no.
What did we learn?
1 MARIKA KOROIBETE EXCEPTIONAL
Former Wallaby Matt Giteau tweeted that Koroibete played like an absolute “beast” and he was right.
The winger contributes in so many ways, in so many areas of the field and always at full throttle.
It was his 15m pass to Tom Wright that opened up a little space down the right sideline for the Wallabies to score the first try. Later in the first half, he left his wing and bopped up elsewhere to bump and fend his way forward while four English defenders tried to stop him.
In defence, he smashed winger Tommy Freeman into touch and caught every high kick sent his way.
2 NICK FROST HERE TO STAY
The towering lock’s first starting assignment as a Wallaby produced some eye-catching contributions that suggest he has a long Test career ahead.
Frost stretched to nearly 3m to charge down Danny Care’s first kick of the night from the ruckbase. His strong early run carried him an extra 5m with his powerful leg drive.
He might have been charging into space at the 10-minute mark but prop Taniela Tupou directed a low, woeful pass that could not be roped in.
He was still full of running in the second half when Noah Lolesio put him into a hole.
And most importantly, he soared for several secure lineout takes including the go-to target late.
3 FULLBACK STILL A PROBLEM
After Freddie Steward scored that stunning try at Twickenham last November, one of our “Five Things” post-Test was wishing a Steward clone could be found in Australia.
Alas, No.15 is still a major issue.
Steward was a star again with a try, high kick catching and a try-saving tackle. Superb.
You want thrust from the position and Jordan Petaia was injured too early in the second Test to find out if he was the one.
You can admire Reece Hodge for his versatility but he’s not the answer.
He kicks long, catches most of his high kicks but that horrid pass over the sideline when Tom Wright was in position for it was one of the reasons this Test was lost.
4 EDDIE JONES SECURE
This series win in Australia has secured Eddie Jones’ position as coach through to the World Cup next year if it was ever really in doubt.
He had his Englishmen play to their strengths with powerful carries from the forwards, contestable kicks and superb discipline in defence.
The English seized on Australian ball at the tackle for turnovers at key times. They clearly outplayed the Wallabies in that skill area.
5 SUDDEN-DEATH GAMES
The Wallabies don’t play enough “grand final” matches. Too few Australians play in finals in Super Rugby.
By comparison, so many of these English have played in premiership finals in England and Europe.
They had a calm for the occasion. The Wallabies were a whisker behind.
That said, the Wallabies were courageous and never stopped. Beating New Zealand now is the only history that the Australian republic will grasp this year.
