Internationals -07/11/2009
Wallabies down England
After weathering a decent start by the home side that saw Wilkinson kick nine points in the first half hour of his Twickenham return, Australia dominated long periods of the game and were deserved winners.
The tourists, who trailed 9-5 at the break, should have won by more as they let a number of try-scoring opportunities go begging but they will take consolation from the fact they improved on a recent record of six losses from seven matches going into the game.
Australia touched down in each half through man-of-the-match Will Genia and full-back Adam Ashley-Cooper to post their second successive victory in the Cook Cup, while the impressive Matt Giteau landed two penalties and a conversion.
Although Wilkinson looked close to the form that made him a World Cup winner in 2003, the truth is that England were laboured in attack, offering little variety and line-breaking ability, while their defence was found wanting for both of Australia's tries.
England started well and their lineout gave them an edge, with Tom Croft easily securing their own ball and skipper Steve Borthwick challenging the opposition throw with some success.
Wilkinson needed just three minutes to get England on the scoreboard when he landed a well-struck drop goal and made it 6-0 with a penalty from out wide when Australia wing Peter Hynes was penalised for not rolling away in the tackle.
But Australia's defence overall was strong and they showed their attacking threat on several occasions in the first quarter when they countered from deep through Hynes and Ashley-Cooper, while up front Wycliff Palu made his presence felt with a number of effective drives.
Wilkinson hit the upright with a penalty from halfway in the 14th minute that would have put them nine points ahead, but just after the first quarter the Wallabies threat turned into points after a concerted attack. Australia's forwards secured the ball five metres from the England line and Genia needed no further invitation to nip through a gap for their first try.
Wilkinson was again on target with another penalty after a decent drive from prop David Wilson set up an England attack in the 27th minute, and although the hosts went into the break with a 9-5 lead, the tourists looked the more dangerous side.
The signals had been there in the first half and Australia proceeded to dominate for long periods after the break. Wilkinson, assisted by 2003 team-mate Lewis Moody, lead the England defence with some impressive tackles but it appeared just a matter of time before the Wallabies crossed again.
Australia should have scored their second try in the 45th minute when skipper Rocky Elsom ignored an overlap five metres from England's line after a break from Digby Ione, but the home side were penalised for offside and Giteau kicked his second three-pointer to bring them within one point.
England were under pressure for long periods of the third quarter and the only surprise was that they were not behind by more points when manager Martin Johnson made a number of changes. James Haskell came on at number eight and Dylan Hartley replaced the returning Steve Thompson at hooker just before the hour.
The changes helped but still Australia dominated and nearly touched down through Palu after another scything break by Digby Ione, after the centre had been put clear by Genia.
England at least showed more ambition in the final quarter with Wilkinson and Shane Geraghty trying to vary the play and Haskell and Hartley adding impetus to the forward effort.
But they never looked liked crossing the Australia line and instead it was the tourists who extended their lead when Ashley-Cooper took the ball at speed wide out on the left wing and stood up well in the tackles of Ugo Monye and Mark Cueto to touch down in the corner.
Johnson's side threw everything they had at the Wallabies in the last 10 minutes but the tourists coped comfortably with the one-dimensional attacks.