Wallabies humbled by England at Twickenham in Nations Championship; coach admits failings
Australia's Wallabies were comprehensively outplayed by England at Twickenham in the Nations Championship on November 8, 2026, a performance their coach conceded as failing to find its rhythm. "We just didn't get our game going at all," said Les Kiss after the match, which saw Australia ship a record number of points against England.
Once a visit to Twickenham would unsettle the home crowd, but the Wallabies have produced disappointing displays on their two most recent trips, including a rare high in 2024 when they won 42-37. Last year’s meeting had the mitigating factor of falling outside the international window and producing an understrength side; there was no such excuse this time as Australia prepare to host next year’s World Cup and continue to deal with a pay dispute with Rugby Australia.
On the field, Australia offered little of the counterattacking swagger or sustained ball-carrying thrust the side can produce, and their set piece "fell to pieces," the report noted, while the squad again lacked a fly-half of international quality capable of managing a difficult away fixture. The opening period produced minimal penetration, leaving the Wallabies short of the offensive tempo normally required to trouble England.
The only significant incursion into England’s 22 before half-time came in the 37th minute, from which a lineout led to a turnover; Max Jorgensen’s intercept try on the stroke of half-time was the other notable score for Australia. That sequence encapsulated Australia’s difficulty in creating sustained pressure for most of the first half.
Key forwards Rob Valetini, Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu began on the bench, suggesting an intent to press late in the game, but by the time they were introduced England were out of reach. Daugunu used his power to score what became Australia’s second try, Valetini made some impact, yet the team’s overall error rate did not fall after the replacements entered.
Fraser McReight, earning his 50th cap, was unable to impose himself at the breakdown and was repeatedly questioning referee Pierre Brousset during the game. At scrum-half, Ryan Lonergan was described as ponderous, was charged down once by Maro Itoje and was often kicking too long; Joseph Suaalii posed a threat under the high ball but otherwise Australia produced few clear attacking openings.
The match was described as a first northern hit-out for the Wallabies, and concerns were raised over tactical choices made by Kiss during the contest. The report also noted that the side have the opportunity to address issues before the World Cup, with a full Rugby Championship scheduled next year.
Australia face Scotland next week in their next match, a fixture the report suggested they "cannot be much worse" in, and the team will have the Rugby Championship next year ahead of the World Cup to attempt to rectify the problems exposed at Twickenham.