Joe Schmidt's Australia have defied the odds and overcome England at the death thanks to an 83rd-minute try.
In what had all the hallmarks of a Test classic, Joe Schmidt well and truly announced the Wallabies' return to the upper echelons of world rugby with an electric performance in Twickenham that saw Australia cross the whitewash five times for a 42-37 win.
Despite England enjoying the early success, their defensive meltdown would eventually prove completely inefficient in the face of a Joe Schmidt tactical masterclass that saw Australia's running rugby cut England's defence in two.
While Australia's defence was far from perfect, from the second quarter on Australia's loose and frantic nature constantly had England on the back foot, forcing holes open for Australia's notoriously sharp runners.
The scramble system was originally introduced to English rugby by Irishman Felix Jones, but frankly has never fully taken shape, a truth made glaringly obvious today.
Everybody saying the same thing about Felix Jones after English defensive meltdown
While after the game both Steve Borthwick and Jamie George said they would double down on their under-attack defensive system, Australia's Allan Alaalatoa didn't shy away from the fact that the Wallabies saw it as an obvious weakness.
Yeah it was mate (our plan to attack the English defensive system) and most importantly to believe in our own system.
Unsurprisingly, the costly choice for England has left both fans and pundits wondering how England allowed Felix Jones, one of the game's best defensive masterminds to walk away from his coaching role.
Former England star turned pundit Andy Goode was just one of many claiming that Steve Borthwick had big questions to answer on Jones' departure.
Wow what a finish from the @wallabies, fully deserve that victory. Defensively England were all over the shop at times. Big questions for Steve Borthwick to answer when we had one of the best defensive coaches in the world just leave
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) November 9, 2024
Felix Jones must be laughing his ass off..
— David T (@dt_b9) November 9, 2024
Borthwick is in real trouble man, results and the optics of losing talent like Felix Jones doesn't paint a pretty picture
— Dillinger (@Skorzeny07) November 9, 2024
A few were even calling for Jones to replace Borthwick, as he is still on the RFU's payroll.
The Munster man who coached South Africa to back-to-back World Cups had joined Steve Borthwick's coaching ticket as defence coach in 2023, but lasted less than a year in the role, departing in August due to turmoil within the camp.
Despite not playing an active part in Borthwick's match-day management, the RFU are holding Jones to his twelve-month exit clause, with the defensive mastermind currently working remotely from Ireland.
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