Sloppy England Pay The Penalty

Nov 16 2008

ENGLAND.14

AUSTRALIA 28

FRUSTRATED England manager Martin Johnson slammed his side for their lack of discipline after they blew a second-half lead to surrender the Cook Cup.

Johnson's men gave away 10 penalties within kicking range and all but one was dispatched by fly-half Matt Giteau who finished the match with 20 points.

England played some good high-tempo rugby but Danny Cipriani was not at his best with the boot and his side were made to pay as they gave away penalty after penalty.

Johnson said: "We had more chances and territory but didn't score the points.

"We gave away too many penalties, it's simple as that.

They didn't have to do a lot to score. We had breaks but made the errors afterwards.

"We must trust ourselves and exploit the chances - and there were a lot of chances."

England gifted the visitors a 6-0 lead through penalties before notching their first points thanks to a superb Delon Armitage drop goal from 35 metres.

Australia established a 12-3 lead from the boot of Giteau before Nick Easter's try late in the first half and a Cipriani penalty brought the home side to within a point.

Cipriani had missed a few kicks in the first half but found his range in the second period to edge England 14-12 ahead.

Giteau kept up his fine form with a series of successful kicks before Stirling Mortlock landed a monster from just inside the England half to put his team 21-12 up.

Adam Ashley-Cooper dived in for a try 12 minutes from time and Giteau hit the extras from out wide to seal a big win for Australia and leave Johnson to reflect on his first defeat since taking charge of his country.

Giteau said: "England played smart rugby and we just looked to kick in behind.

"At times it felt we were losing the grip on the game a bit and we had to regroup."