England survive sluggish start to overwhelm Australia in second half

By the Editorial Team · Monday, September 14, 2026

England rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat Australia 48-10 in their WXV match, extending their winning streak to 39 games with a dominant second-half showing. The result underscores England's physical superiority and disciplined play, while Australia looks to build on their initial strong performance as both teams prepare for upcoming key fixtures.

England overcame a sluggish start to deliver a dominant second-half performance, defeating Australia in their recent WXV match at Salford on Saturday. Trailing 10-5 at halftime for the first time in nearly six years under head coach John Mitchell, the Red Roses rallied to score 43 unanswered points in the second half, extending their winning streak to 39 games.

Australia’s Wallaroos showcased formidable defense and clinical attacking play through the opening 40 minutes, disrupting England’s rhythm and capitalizing on several handling errors by the home side. The visitors appeared well adapted to the introduction of a smaller size 4.5 match ball, trialed this autumn by World Rugby, with captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona noting their familiarity from the Super Rugby season. England captain Meg Jones, who sported a black eye, downplayed the ball’s size as a factor, emphasizing personal accountability.

The match began with Australia taking the lead from a Samantha Wood penalty, and despite England’s early struggles, they managed to cross the try line through Abi Burton following a deliberate knock-on that left Australia a player short. The Wallaroos responded with a try by Faliki Pohiva, holding a 10-5 advantage at the interval after a disallowed try for England due to an offside call.

England’s second half was marked by a sharp increase in intensity and effectiveness. The team’s scrum, a cornerstone of their recent successes including the 2025 World Cup final and Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam, generated crucial momentum after a front-row change. This platform facilitated multiple tries, starting with May Campbell and followed by scores from Meg Jones, Bryony Field, Mia Venner, Sadia Kabeya, Lucy Packer, and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald.

Australia, unable to maintain their first-half performance, were comprehensively outplayed after the break. Tim Walsh, Australia’s director of women’s high performance, acknowledged the gap between the teams, stating that while they have quality players, they currently operate at a lower physical intensity than England. Walsh expressed optimism about improvement ahead of the 2029 home World Cup, framing the current outcome as a baseline for progress.

England head coach John Mitchell attributed his side’s success to their high standards and self-discipline. Looking ahead, the Red Roses face Canada next Saturday, a rematch of the 2025 World Cup final, where they will seek to maintain their unbeaten run. Meanwhile, Australia will aim to sustain the intensity of their first-half display against England in upcoming fixtures, particularly as they prepare to face France, in hopes of securing their first victory since March.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.