Wilkinson kicks England to 21-15 win over Australia

England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson kicked all 21 points as England held on for a 21-15 victory over world champions Australia on…

England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson kicked all 21 points as England held on for a 21-15 victory over world champions Australia on Saturday.

Australia scored two tries but England's forwards laid the platform for a victory that eased some of the pain of Australia's 2-1 defeat of the British Lions. Wilkinson kicked five penalties and two drop goals.

England's pack dominated the first half as Wilkinson's boot made the most of Australian frustration and mistakes.

The Newcastle flyhalf opened the scoring with a penalty from just inside his own half in the fourth minute. He added two more penalties and two drop goals in the first 40 minutes as the home side camped out in the Australian half. The Australian defence held firm in the face of overwhelming England possession, making 75 tackles to 17 in the first half, and the Wallabies came out firing after the break.

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After fullback Matt Burke missed his second penalty attempt they ran the ball from a penalty close to the England line. The slickest move of the game ended with Burke scoring in the corner.

Burke converted and then added a penalty to bring Australia back to 15-10, but England steadied themselves and Wilkinson's kicking seemed to have opened up a winning 21-10 lead.

But substitute flanker Phil Waugh scored in the corner after heavy Australian pressure in the dying minutes.