Australia lose again to England, New Zealand rip apart Wales defence and Scotland overcome Japan

England claim first series win in Australia and Scotland secure victory in first Test in Japan.

Beauden Barrett of the All Blacks, centre, celebrates his try against Wales at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday. Phil Walter / Getty Images

Australia 7

Try Moore; Con Foley

England 23

Tries Hartley, Farrell; Pens Farrell (3); Cons Farrell (2)

England’s defence propelled them to a first series success Down Under as Australia were crushed 23-7 at AAMI Stadium.

The rivals fought each other to a standstill in an ugly but captivating second Test from which the Grand Slam champions emerged emphatic winners despite spending most of the second half halting waves of attacks from the Wallabies.

Captain Dylan Hartley, who became England’s most capped hooker, crossed in the first half before Owen Farrell added the decisive try with six minutes remaining.

Farrell also kicked three penalties and two conversions, but this was a victory founded on the spirit that was evident during stirring rearguard action as Australia probed the whitewash.

The commitment was epitomised by former captain Chris Robshaw, who celebrated his 50th cap with a man of the match performance.

England climb to second in the world rankings on the strength of their victory in Melbourne and now head to Sydney in pursuit of a 3-0 series whitewash.

A bad-tempered showdown repeatedly erupted into brawls and the teams even continued arguing as they left the pitch for half-time, Farrell and Nick Phipps shoving each other as they reached the tunnel.

Australia coach Michael Cheika stated earlier in the week that he had devised a plan to deal with the “niggle” seen from England in the first Test, but there was little evidence of an effective strategy.

On one occasion Michael Hooper appeared to hurl soil into the face of opposite number James Haskell when the teams were packed down at the scrum.

New Zealand 36

Tries Dagg, B Smith, Barrett, Naholo, Savea; Pen Cruden; Cons Cruden, Barrett (3)

Wales 22

Tries Jones, Williams, Davies; Pen Biggar; Cons Biggar (2)

Beauden Barrett used his explosive pace to rip apart the Welsh defence twice in five minutes in the second half that propelled the All Blacks to a 36-22 victory over the visitors on Saturday and seal their three-match series with a game to spare.

Barrett, who replaced Aaron Cruden in the first half after the flyhalf suffered a neck injury, broke the game open by setting up Ben Smith’s try then scored himself after Wales had fought back to 10-10 at half time at Wellington Regional Stadium.

Cruden’s injury, which local radio reported as being a suspected ‘compression neck injury’ had actually brought the Welsh back into the game with the 27-year-old player needing treatment for about 10 minutes before being carried off on a stretcher.

A New Zealand Rugby spokesperson said he had been taken to hospital for ‘precautionary’ tests.

Until Cruden’s injury, the visitors appeared to be struggling with the tempo of the game and despite having plenty of ball and being prepared to use it, looked bereft of too many attacking ideas.

They also faced a resolute wall of defence and failed to make any ground over the advantage line or win the collisions.

Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones scored a try after Cruden’s injury, while Liam Williams and Jonathan Davies scored tries in the final six minutes after the All Blacks had established a 36-10 lead.

Flyhalf Dan Biggar slotted two conversions and added a 16th-minute penalty.

Smith and Israel Dagg, both playing their 50th Tests, crossed the line for the All Blacks, who scored five tries. Waisake Naholo and Ardie Savea, who finished off a sweeping movement for his first Test try in his second match, were the other scorers.

Barrett, who also scored a try, added three conversions, while Cruden converted Dagg’s try and kicked a penalty before he was injured when Wales lock Luke Charteris rolled over the top of him in a tackle.

The third and final Test is in Dunedin next Saturday.

Japan 13

Try Horie; Pens Tamura (2)

Scotland 26

Tries Penalty, Nel; Pens Laidlaw (4); Cons Laidlaw (2))

Captain Greig Laidlaw kicked 16 points as Scotland overcame Japan to clinch a 26-13 victory in the opening Test in Toyota City.

Laidlaw slotted over four penalties and also added the extras for a first-half penalty try and a second-half WP Nel score as Scotland edged out their hosts in the first of two meetings.

The decisive period was on either side of half time when Japan found themselves down to 13 men with two players in the sin bin, allowing Scotland to take a firm grip on proceedings.

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