For the third time in as many games, the hosts competed for spells, but couldn’t turn pressure into points and were well beaten in the end. England hit back from 12-0 down to trail by only four points at half-time and had Australia on the ropes during the third quarter, but the breakthrough wouldn’t come and the Kangaroos counter-attacked to run in three tries in the last 20 minutes, two of them to Reece Walsh.
Josh Addo-Carr, Hudson Young and Harry Grant got the others, all converted by Nathan Cleary. Australian stand-off Cameron Munster was named player of the series. Jez Litten created England’s try. Harry Smith converted and added a penalty in front of a sell out crowd of 19,500. Here’s how the England players rated.
7. Stand-off: George Williams (no 6)
Did really well with his try, but didn’t create a lot and kicked when he should have run 6 Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
8. Scrum-half: Harry Smith (no 7)
Not exactly poor, but didn’t ask enough questions in good ball 5 Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
9. Prop: Mike McMeeken (no 17)
Good first spell, lost the ball on the Aussies’ line with his first touch when he returned 6 Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
10. Hooker: Jez Litten (no 9)
Had a big game, produced England’s best play of the entire series to set up Williams’ score 8 Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
11. Prop: Matty Lees (no 10)
Tough in his opening spell, but faded 6 Photo: Paul Currie/SWpix.com
12. Second-row: Kallum Watkins (no 11)
Couple of knock-ons, but a nice half-break and try-saving tackle;played the full 80 again 7 Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com