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Fans arrived at Everton’s resplendent Hill Dickson Stadium to the sound of Black Eyed Peas’ 2009 hit I Gotta Feeling, the lyrics “I’ve got a feeling that tonight’s gonna be a good night” reverberating around Liverpool’s docks. And boy was it for the Kangaroos, but only just.
The green and gold won their 14th Ashes series in a row, the first since 2003, with a solid second-half response that decided the second Test in their favour. But a display for the ages from Australia – a routine or one-sided victory most expected – it was not. England played with fire, matching the Kangaroos and frustrating them at every stage in an eye-catching first half. But, as the last 55 years have told us, it was still Australia holding the trophy aloft.
Coming into the second Test it was a tale of two teams in contrasting situations. England – wounded, beaten, even “tortured” as their coach, Shaun Wane, said – after a first Test loss at Wembley. Australia – calm, confident and looking for improvement after their 26-6 win where they did not need to get out of second gear.
The analysis of the first Test has been brutal for those with Albion ears, with ferocious attacks from the southern hemisphere and criticism from many England supporters. Super League and the state of the British game, the pathways and financial health of the sport, have all been up for debate. The NRL boss, Peter V’Landys blasted Super League for being headed towards a “train crash” if their revenues do not improve and is pushing for a partnership between the two competitions. The former international Paul Gallen said England were “horrible” in the first Test, while ex-captain Cameron Smith described England’s defence at times as “embarrassing”.
Roll on to Liverpool where the hosts badly needed a response. Five changes were made, with the Gold Coast outside back AJ Brimson in at full-back, Harry Smith in the halves, hooker Daryl Clark dropped, Canberra forward Morgan Smithies coming in and prop Mikolaj Oledski joining the bench. The big reshuffle worked.
James Graham called for “organised violence” from England before the first Test and Australia would have expected it from their under-pressure opponents. Andrew Johns, at a speaking event in Bradford the night before, told a crowd that England’s best opportunity in the second Test would be to start a fight.
A minute in, an all-in brawl erupted after Jez Litten and Harry Grant got involved in a scuffle. The result was Dom Young and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui being shown yellow cards. Nathan Cleary nailed the ensuing penalty,. A minute later and another fracas erupted, this time involving George Williams and Grant.
The home team’s best chance seemed to be to niggle, frustrate and get under the skin of Australia. It worked, Smith’s penalty goal tying it up at 2-2 after seven minutes. Reece Walsh threw a forward pass and England were camped on the tryline. Young went close to scoring in the 14th minute, but was forced into touch.
Walsh had hit Young high in the try-saving tackle, however he escaped a yellow card. England had all the field position and possession, but did not make it pay. The Kangaroos looked sluggish and were forced into errors. In the 19th minute Williams dinked a little grubber in behind, Walsh fumbled it and Morgan Knowles got it down, but the video referee deemed it was not a try.
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The Kangaroos were under the pump. With a raucous crowd behind England, they rose to the occasion. Australia went 4-2 ahead from another penalty goal, after Smithies dived at the knees of Cameron Munster, before Smith evened it with a penalty.
Enter the magician Munster. The Storm star dummied his way over for the first try. Australia went 8-4 ahead and England could not respond. Five minutes later, Tom Johnstone mishandled Cleary’s bomb, with Hudson Young scooping up the crumbs for the Kangaroos’ second try.
The contest was as good as done. Australia switched gears and the Hill Dickinson Stadium mood went flat. Even when Walsh was sent to the sin-bin for a late shoulder charge on Young, England could not break down a 12-man defence. The Ashes were waved goodbye.
All is not lost for the British game. Green shoots remain. This Test showed there is merit, promise, and potential – not to mention an audience – in the sport’s birthplace. Nurture the roots, partner with the NRL and let rugby league flourish in Brisbane and Brighouse. Working together in the boardrooms, and leaving the bitter rivalry out on the field, has to be the way forward.
