England v Australia Second Test preview: Eddie Jones’ job on the line?

After losing the first game of the series in the last minutes and continuing the poor form that has followed them since the World Cup final, England are in dire need of something and fast.

We preview the second test from Brisbane below.

The previous match

Going into the first match with Australia on the back of months of poor form, England would really have benefitted from an early lead in the series and the spike in confidence having not taken a win since February.

Especially with the World Cup on the horizon, Eddie Jones, and the squad who made the final last time round, will have seen these fixtures as a vital chance to build some momentum and put together a working system, something that England have lacked since the heartbreak against South Africa in 2019.

Unfortunately for Jones and England, it was not to be and the search for a winning formula continues. There is still hope that they can level the series though, considering the quality they have produced under Jones in the past.

England lost Australia 30-28 in a match that should have probably been wrapped up before the halfway mark. Leading 6-3 in the first half, England failed to capitalise on a subpar first-half Australia with Owen Farrell missing the target with the sticks gaping.

England scored the opening try early in the second period but failed to capitalise on their advantage. The floodgates opened in the 64th minute when Jordan Petaia broke through to score and Australia added two other tries in the following 13 minutes. The damage was done and two late England tries still left the visitors agonisingly short.

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Can new look England salvage the series?

The loss in the World Cup final of 2019 has seen the form and confidence of the England Rugby team drop to unsatisfactory levels and the squad is crying out for a reset.

Loosing every match since the Six Nations victory over Ireland in February, Eddie Jones has decided that the squad needs reorganization.

For the second test match, the manager has changed the line-up and has offered Guy Porter and Tommy Freeman their first opportunities to start.

The pair have never been capped by England before and appear to be something of a gamble. However, Porter did impress in an uncapped international against the Barbarians and perhaps represents Jones’ desire to help the squad evolve and introduce the next generation of talent.

Scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet replaces Danny Care and will also make his first start, while Sam Underhill makes his return, replacing Tom Curry who has been ruled out as he recovers from a concussion.

With the help of the new boys, England are still only 6/4 underdogs, but fans will expect to see a different attitude showcased than that of the first game – ideally a winning one.

Australia are set to introduce one of their stars, tighthead prop Taniela Tupou, to the action with the 135-kilo tank already making claims he is ready to smash Ellis Genge.

Coach David Rennie has been forced to make a number of other adjustments to the back line after a string of injuries, with Andrew Kellaway unable to compete in the further two matches. He is to be replaced at full back by Jordan Petaia.

Midfield has also been a problem for Australia as a minor calf injury has ruled out Len Ikitau who is to be substituted for Hunter Paisami.

Australia’s changes may see them attempt a slightly different play style, perhaps relying more on attack than in the first test with slight holes in their defence. Despite theirs and England’s changes, Australia are the favourites to win the match and therefore the series at 8/13 with a game to spare.

A handicap of +3/-3 suggests this is set to be another closely fought battle, with both sides 10/11 to win with the handicap applied.

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