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Although the links between the countries are undoubtedly close, the intensity of the rivalry between the two is a relatively modern phenomenon, as evidenced by the fact that only six Tests had been played prior to the 1970s. Australia and England have twice met in Rugby World Cup finals, sharing the spoils one apiece, each having prevailed on the other’s home turf.
The Trophy – The Cook Cup
Established in 1997 when Australia and England contracted to play each other bi-annually for 10-years, on a home and away basis. The cup is named after Captain James Cook representing a notable English/Australian connection. The cup is made from crystal and was designed by Royal Doulton in London. Australia won the Cook Cup in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2006 and 2008.
The Last Meeting (in England) – Australia 28, England 14 at London, 15 November, 2008
Australia retained the Cook Cup, while recording just the second win from its last eight visits to Twickenham, after overpowering England in the final 25 minutes. The home side, which was rebuilding under the guidance of the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson in his new role as Team manager, hit the lead 14-12 after 52 minutes. It was then held scoreless for the remainder of the contest as the Qantas Wallabies eased out to Australia’s second biggest winning margin on English soil. Flyhalf Matt Giteau kicked 20 of Australia’s points, which represented the second highest individual tally by a Wallaby against England, being bettered only by the 22 accumulated by Matthew Burke during the 76-0 rout at Brisbane in 1998.
For Australia: Try by Adam Ashley-Cooper; conversion and 6 penalty goals by Matt Giteau, penalty goal by Stirling Mortlock.
For England: Try by Nick Easter; 2 penalty goals by Danny Cipriani, dropped goal by Delon Armitage.
The Last Meeting (in Australia) – Australia 43, England 18 at Melbourne, 17 June, 2006
Australia completed a 2-nil sweep of the mid-year series with England, running away with the match in the second half to comprehensively regain the Cook Cup. The Wallabies led 13-6 at the halfway stage, but posted five second half tries to cement their series dominance. Australia had earlier scored three tries to none in capturing the first Test of the series 34-3 in Sydney.
For Australia: Tries by Mark Gerrard (2), George Smith, Lote Tuqiri, Mark Chisholm and Stephen Larkham; 5 conversions and a penalty goal by Stirling Mortlock.
For England: Tries by George Chuter and Tom Varndell; conversion, penalty goal and a dropped goal by Andy Goode.
The Last Meeting (at a neutral venue) – Australia 10, England 12 at Marseilles, 6 October, 2007
Australia scored the only try, but couldn’t make the most of the scoring opportunities it created, while England took everything on offer to nab a courageous win in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final. The success came just two weeks after England had been humiliated 0-36 by South Africa in pool play, and instilled a level of belief in the side that sustained it through to a much closer re-match against the Springboks in the tournament final.
For Australia: Try by Lote Tuqiri; conversion and a penalty goal by Stirling Mortlock.
For England: 4 penalty goals by Jonny Wilkinson.
100 Years @ ‘Twickers’: The 2009-10 rugby season sees Twickenham, the headquarters of rugby union in England, celebrate its centenary. The first match at the ground was played on 2 October, 1909, when Harlequins beat Richmond 14-10. On 15 January, 2010, Twickers hosted its first Test, with England beating Wales for the first time in 12 seasons, and going on to win the then four-nation championship that year. Rugby was suspended during the Great War (1914-19) with the field at Twickenham being used during that time to graze cattle, sheep and horses, to help sustain the war effort. With a current capacity of 82,000; Twickenham lays claim to being the largest rugby ground in the world.
The Wilkinson Sword: The blade might not be as sharp as it once was, but Jonny Wilkinson remains an intrigual part of the England set-up; 11 years on from his Test debut in 1998 when, at aged 18 years and 314 days, he became England’s youngest ever player, appearing off the bench against Ireland. Now based with big spending French club Toulon, after finishing up at Newcastle last year, Wilkinson is the leading individual point-scorer in Test rugby with 1099 to his name. He was the first Englishman to 1000 Test points, and also fittingly (given his deeds of 2003) edged ahead of Argentine Hugo Porta for the most dropped goals in Tests, when he kicked his 29th against Scotland in the last Six Nations. Wilkinson quit the English Premiership as it’s highest ever point-scorer. He also has the most points of any player in Rugby World Cup history. The 30-year-old, who is still part of the England Elite Player squad, has incredibly been sidelined by 13 different injuries since his immortal extra time dropped goal which beat Australia in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final in Sydney.
Dingo was here!: One of the five All Black Tests played by Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans was played at Twickenham against England. Deans contributed a conversion and a penalty goal although New Zealand lost the 1983 Test match, 9-15. The game was the second Test of Deans’s career, after he’d made his debut at Murrayfield two weeks earlier in a 25all draw with Scotland.
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