England australia 2021 rugby highlights justin harrison defends wallabies effort 20211114 p5iwd5.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Advertisement
Advertisement
Watch Live
Premier League on StanrightArrow
This was published 4 years ago

Former Wallabies lock Justin Harrison launches passionate defence of Australia's efforts in England loss

Sam Worthington
Sam Worthington

Powered by

Former Wallabies lock Justin Harrison has launched a passionate defence of Australia's efforts at Twickenham this morning following criticism from the great David Campese.

England outclassed the Wallabies 32-15 in London, their eighth straight win against Australia under Eddie Jones.

Wallabies legend Campese was on the Twickenham sideline for Stan Sport and was ultimately unimpressed by both teams.

Advertisement

Re-watch the England vs Australia rugby clash on Stan Sport - the home of the Wallabies, All Blacks and Springboks spring tours. Start your 7-day free trial\u00a0here

"England had no game plan, they didn't know what they were doing," Campese said.

"We just seem to get the ball and don't know what to do.

"In the backline we're individuals, it's just not working."

READ MORE: Wallabies player ratings from latest England flop

READ MORE: Wallabies blown away by ruthless England

READ MORE: Incredible Ireland stun All Blacks in boilover

Advertisement

Justin Harrison on Stan Sport. Stan

But without trying to completely excuse the Wallabies, Harrison pointed out the challenges for Dave Rennie's side.

Tighthead props Taniela Tupou and Allan Alaalatoa were both out with concussion symptoms on top of the spring tour withdrawals of Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Sean McMahon.

England weren't immune from disruption either with props Joe Marler and Ellis Genge ruled out after testing positive for COVID-19.

Advertisement
Advertisement

"Wallabies, very brave, very honest performance from a team that's had every hurdle thrown at them," Harrison said.

"Those blokes walked tall into that stadium. I refuse to accept that description and that's annoying, it's too easy to say that. They made some errors but that is a performance that you can be proud of.

"We are not happy with the scoreline, we know that, but that was a well executed game plan from England that forced the Wallabies into some mistakes."

Advertisement

Hunter Paisami of Australia is tackled by Owen Farrell of England. Getty

After some other post-match discussion among the Stan Sport panel, a "fired up" Harrison continued his defence of a team that has lost two straight after winning their previous five Tests.

"I'm not happy. That change room is filthy they've just lost a Test match for their country and they were brave and honest," said Harrison, who is chief executive of Australia's players association.

"We aren't happy with the execution but don't do that to the team. This is professional rugby, we expect a whole lot more from the Wallaby jersey but we also know that adverse conditions create frailty.

Advertisement
Advertisement

"We know that the Wallabies went in with a game plan and weren't able to execute it as well as they wanted to. But it doesn't mean that they tried any less and it doesn't mean that they're clueless and it most certainly doesn't mean they were against an England side that didn't know what they were doing."

Meet the Nine and Stan Sport rugby commentary team as an exciting new era for the game kicks off

Meet the Nine and Stan Sport rugby commentary team as an exciting new era for the game kicks off

Most viewed in Rugby

More to explore