A 52,106 full house at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium saw England take the game to the Kangaroos in the opening 40 and they were unlucky not to go in ahead at half-time, Harry Smith kicking two penalty goals to twice cancel out similar efforts by Nathan Cleary.
Australia, though, were the better team in the second period and won the game with two tries in five minutes through Cameron Munster and Hudson Young. Here’s how the England players rated.
7. Scrum-half: Harry Smith (no 7)
A few testing kicks, but didn’t get enough quality ball to the three-quarters 5 Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
8. Prop: Mike McMeeken (no 17)
Really strong opening spell, won the penalty for England’s first goal 7 Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
9. Hooker: Jez Litten (no 9)
Was very good in the first half and certainly justified his start, though - like the team less effective after the break 7 Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
10. Prop: Matty Lees (no 10)
Excellent opening 30-minute stint, particularly a huge hit on Angus Crichton 8 Photo: Paul Currie/SWpix.com
11. Second-row: Kallum Watkins (no 11)
Huge effort, played 80 minutes in his Test recall against the world’s best team and didn't take a backwards step 8 Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
12. Second-row: Kai Pearce-Paul (no 12)
Started well and did all right, but nothing spectacular 6 Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com