England started the tour with only three test victories in Australia on their travels. They ended it by becoming the first side since South Africa in 1971 to record a 3-0 series win.
After winning for the first time in Brisbane 28-39, England followed that up with a 23-7 Melbourne success.
Defence was the key attribute to England’s success in Australia. Working incredibly hard to nullify and negate Australia’s front line. By the third test, England played with more freedom than ever before in this series, and throw out more attacking signs than in the previous two tests put together.
Australia, carried on like they had in the whole series – on the front foot. They went into a half time lead 18-17 with Cole for England and Foley for Australia hitting the try line. The second half gave the Sydney crowd a thrilling finale to an enthralling series.
Halfway through the second half, Australia led, not for the first time in this series as Hooper and full-back Folau went over in an impressive spell. But this wouldn’t deter an England side, unbeaten in 2016, into a reaction. With George getting a try and the ever impressive kicking from Owen Farrell, England sealed a win that, just 8 months previously, seemed almost impossible.
“English rugby is in a good place,” said captain Dylan Hartley. “We were in a dark place maybe six months ago, and I hope we have now given the people something to cheer about.”
Eddie Jones, who took over a squad, lacking confidence and conviction, following their world cup exit at the end of 2015, has seen a new look England rise from a world ranking of no eight to no two, but insists there is plenty to work on. “”We’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of us. We have serious deficiencies in our consistency, but that will come with time and with more detailed practice,” he told the BBC.