England need to move swiftly to bolster their sagging credibility after a depressingly incompetent opening to their international season. The 73,000 spectators who paid a total of £2.25 million to watch this farrago of error and disorganisation at Twickenham on Saturday should have had their money back. A repeat performance in next Saturday's Test against the All Blacks at Old Trafford will end in crushing defeat.
When the England coach Clive Woodward announces his team on Wednesday he will need to have addressed two major problems - constant loss of the ball in contact, and a scrum that bobbed about like an old barrel on the high seas.
After the barrage of hype in recent weeks about England's "exciting young side" and their innovative new style a meagre return of five penalty goals by Mike Catt proved to be a dismal comedown. The few flashes of brilliance on offer came from the Wallabies whose excellent tries by George Gregan and Ben Tune were merited reward for their dominant play in the loose. Had Australia not missed six kicks at goal they would have won at a canter.
It was embarrassing to listen to various England spokesmen bemoaning the wet conditions as they sought to justify the complete lack of a game plan. The weather certainly did not inhibit England's most enterprising players - Matt Perry, Gareth Archer and Catt - but it did underline the team's inability to build a working platform.
In effect, England have thrown together a collection of talented individuals chosen on the basis of recent club form, taking a deep breath, and assuming that a purposeful team would somehow emerge from the muddle. In the circumstances the half-backs Catt and Kyran Bracken did well to initiate occasional passages of momentum while the 20-year-old Perry showed he is a footballer with a long international future.
Archer, whose qualities were recognised two years ago by Jack Rowell, was a breath of fresh air. However, after a fiery start England's back row never functioned as a unit: Lawrence Dallaglio in his first game as captain was diverted into neutral areas by Tim Horan who set up both tries, Richard Hill failed to impose authority, and the number eight Tony Diprose rarely got the chance to show his handling skills.
If Woodward is serious about defeating the All Blacks then he must bite the bullet and recall Mark Regan at hooker, Victor Ubogu at tight head and Tim Rodber at number eight as well as giving Neil Back an extended run as open side flanker.
As it was, only once in 80 minutes did England threaten a try when Adebayo stormed to within a metre of the line only to be flattened and then helped off injured. Sure, Catt and Perry both made sparkling runs from deep positions which brought roars of appreciation from the patient crowed but the Wallabies' superbly committed defence snuffed out the danger each time with big hits.
Sadly Australia's lame duck goal kicking allowed at least 17 points to go begging. Midway through the first half the captain John Eales missed two medium-range penalties and a conversion which, had they gone over, would have given his side a commanding 13-3 lead.
Australia's first try which was sparked by Flatley's short chip and chase, owed everything to the intelligent running of Gregan who fed Horan and took the return pass as Dallaglio bundled the centre into touch before scoring in the corner. On the hour Australian went 12-9 ahead when Horan opened up England's cover with a clever break to the left which gave Tune the space to sprint through unhindered for a try at the posts.
