England just put the Wallabies on blast, taking a massive 45-22 win that’s gotta be a huge sigh of relief for coach Steve Borthwick. This wasn’t just any victory, either; it was the kind of performance that puts to bed some seriously gnarly rumors and shows a real shift in attitude.
That ‘Plastic Energy’ We Needed
Remember that “plastic energy” jab? South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi threw it at Borthwick’s squad after the 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final, trashing England’s back-slapping and in-game celebrating. We all saw the online mockery, especially Ben Earl pumping his fist over Ireland’s crooked line-out. But guess what? That “plastic energy,” the body language that screams mindset and intent, the one that tells you a team’s pilot light is absolutely burning bright, well, England just had it in spades against Australia.
It’s not just diesel grunt, but it’s *something*. England almost derailed the Springboks at Stade de France three years ago with it, and on Sunday, it was back. Earl, of course, was right there, loud and proud celebrating a scrum win in the third minute. But it wasn’t just him. Jamie George was bellowing into the stands after the first score, captain Maro Itoje got swarmed with congratulations after an early charge-down, and Henry Slade got hugged hard after a lung-busting, try-saving tackle on Max Jorgensen late in the game.
Borthwick needed every ounce of it. There were reports in the Times about a player-coach rift opening in Argentina this past July. Senior players denied it, saying it was just honest input and a focus on improvement. But they promised proof on the pitch against Australia. It was a massive gamble. Another disjointed, misfiring performance, like the 42-21 defeat by Ireland at Twickenham in February, would have cranked the pressure on Borthwick to eleven. Instead, his players showed up, fired up and ready to go.
Feyi-Waboso’s Electrifying Statement
They brought the physicality we expect: gainline power, breakdown bravery, crunching hits. Ben Curry’s old-school leap out of the line to smash fly-half Declan Meredith was pure gold. But here’s the kicker: there was a different kind of bravery, too. The one where you chance your arm, throw that final pass, and trust your skills instead of taking the safe option.
Full-back George Furbank, playing his first Test in almost two years, was a masterclass in ball-playing smarts. He hit a line, flashed a dummy, and snuck an offload to slice the Wallabies open for Jack van Poortvliet’s try. Henry Slade and Seb Atkinson were also pulling strings like absolute pros.
But the real story? Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. This 23-year-old Exeter wing brought the kind of Test match mojo England absolutely has to protect. He was *electric* in the first half. Every time he touched the ball, you could feel the expectation crackle through the stands. And man, did he deliver. In just 40 minutes of rugby, or really, only 32 minutes uninjured, Feyi-Waboso racked up an insane 113 meters from eight carries, beating seven defenders. Nobody else on England even came close to those numbers.
Then the gut punch. His ankle got caught under prop Angus Bell’s weight, and he was sidelined at halftime, watching the rest of the match in a protective boot. After missing the entire Six Nations campaign, the call not to pull him immediately to minimize damage might be one England seriously regrets when that prognosis drops. England relies on his pace, his power, and his unpredictability, and losing that would be a brutal blow.
So, England got the win, the “plastic energy” is looking a whole lot more real, and the pressure on Borthwick has eased. But now, all eyes are on that ankle. What’s the damage, Immanuel? We’re all holding our breath because that kind of talent, that kind of game-changing force, is priceless.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by BBC Sport.
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