Australian press lambasts Wallabies

The Australian press has hammered the Wallaby side after their shortcomings were exposed again by England at Twickenham.

The Australian press has hammered the Wallaby side after their shortcomings were exposed again by England at Twickenham on Saturday.

The visitors went down 20-13 in the first game of their European tour, and much of the media anger has been focused on coach Ewen McKenzie.

With the Wallabies leading 13-6 at half-time to a stuttering England side, Australian rugby writers did not hold back:

“This was a loss to a developing English team with an erratically functioning lineout and faulty goalkicker, and unfamiliar combinations throughout – yet the hosts were mildly miffed with the style of the win,” Paul Cully, of The Sydney Morning Herald said.

“That is an insight to how the Wallabies are really perceived despite flattery in the lead-up. There is blood in the water on this tour and every side in Europe knows it.”

The Australian's Brett Harris said: “The dream is over. Australia, wake up! The Wallabies' loss to England has not only ended their chance of winning the Grand Slam, but has continued their regression under new coach McKenzie, who now has a 20% winning record. The Wallabies now have to pick up the pieces of a broken dream and find a way through the rest of what is shaping up as a very treacherous tour.”