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Simon Smale at Lang Park

England beats Australia 25-17

Luke Cowan-Dickie and his English teammates had reason to smile against the Wallabies. (AAP: Jono Searle)

A dominant first half has helped England level its Test series against the Wallabies with a 25-17 victory at Lang Park.

England had led 19-0 late in the first half, before the Wallabies scored a try through Taniela Tupou four minutes from the break.

The tourists kept their noses in front in the second half, with player-of-the-match Owen Farrell's boot crucial throughout.

The former England captain scored six penalty goals and a conversion for a personal tally of 20 points.

The Wallabies were once again hit hard by an avalanche of injuries, with Jordan Petaia suffering a head knock and his replacement Izaia Perese badly injuring his knee.

Cadeyrn Neville also sustained a knee injury and Scott Sio damaged his shoulder as this physically taxing series continues to take its toll. 

After being decidedly second best in Perth last week, England came out firing right from the off.

Billy Vunipola crashed over as England's rolling maul — a facet of the game in which the visitors dominated throughout — went to work.

That came when Farrell opted to kick for touch rather than go for points, a sign of England's intent to score early tries.

However, after breaching the line early, England was content to take three points every time they were on offer, racing into a sizeable lead thanks to Farrell's dependable boot.

The opening half-hour was all England, but once the Wallabies were able to string a series of phases together they were able to cross almost instantly.

Tupou scored with Australia's first entry to England's 22, giving the Wallabies real hope of a second-half comeback.

Despite another Farrell penalty extending England's lead, the Wallabies crossed again through Samu Kerevi after some tremendously patient play on England's try line.

That made the score 22-14, and when Smith was sent to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on, Noah Lolesio added the extras to bring the Wallabies to closer at 22-17.

England lost both Maro Itoje and Sam Underhill through concussion and the near-capacity crowd at Lang Park — where the Wallabies were unbeaten in 10 matches since England last toured in 2016 — sensed a mighty comeback.

But England were able to settle, Farrell added a seventh penalty to ice the game and send the series to an SCG decider next Saturday.

Look back at how the action unfolded in our blog.

Key events

Live updates

Key Event

Full time: England levels the series!

A gripping Test match comes to an end, England leveling the series thanks to a tremendous effort built from their phenomenal start.

The players shake hands and, I'm sure, turn their thoughts instantly to a decider.

Not much of a celebration from the England players, they know the job is only half done.

The Wallabies were second best tonight, ending their 10-game unbeaten run at Lang Park, a run that has been book-ended by defeats to England.

80' Penalty Wallabies, then England

For the first time tonight the rolling maul goes nowhere, so Lawes takes it upon himself and almost gets through as Swing Low rings around Lang Park. This time there are no boos.

Penalty for Australia though, they tap and go.

But now they get isolated on the wrong side of half way and it's a penalty to England!

Farrell kicks the ball out, and it's over!

78' Penalty England

Penalty at the scrum goes England's way and Folau Fainga'a is arguing the fact with the referee, who for some reason doesn't change his mind...

England kick for touch and have a line out 30 metres out from the Wallabies line.

Owen Farrell player of the match

We've just had the fact that Owen Farrell has been named England's player of the match, to a chorus of predictable boos from the Lang Park faithful.

77' Wallabies forward pass!

The Wallabies are edging into England territory, some hard metres being earned by the outside backs.

Oh but that's all ruined by a forward pass!

That's a shame, because the Wallabies were building nicely.

74' England miss the penalty

Farrell needs no second invitation to accept the chance to add to his tally from 40 metres out on the left side of the field, 15 in from touch.

He's missed it! He's seven from eight now, England still lead by 25-17 - is there still a chance for the Wallabies?

They'll have to repel another rolling maul from their own 10 metre line first.

73' England penalty

That England maul has been working overtime no matter where England win a lineout from.

Once again they work their way up field and win a penalty to boot.

Farrell sees Nowell wide on the right and puts another perfect cross field kick over the top, which Nowell gathers but he's hammered into touch immediately.

We go back for the penalty.

72' Penalty England!

Captain Courtney Lawes got his big mitts on the ball and England get the decision and a relieving kick down field to the Wallabies 10 metre line.

71' Penalty Wallabies!

Was that accidental offside against England?

Whatever the decision, the Wallabies have the ball just inside the England half of the field and will kick for touch to the England 30.

70' Wallabies cough up possession!

It was a golden opportunity, but the Wallabies lose the ball and England will get rid down field.

69' Penalty Wallabies!

Good work from the Wallabies at the breakdown, it looked like England might have stolen the ball but they won it back.

Oh but O'Connor missed touch with the kick!

England attack out of their own line, but the wash up is a lineout to the Wallabies just outside the England 22!

66' Penalty England!

The pressure was too much, the Wallabies were guilty of infringing and Farrell has a chance to add three from bang in front.

He converts the kick and England edge further ahead, 25-17.

65' England on the charge!

The Wallabies infringe at the lineout and it's an Enland scrum!

Smith and England advance down the left and the Wallabies are scrambling!

Farrell puts a cross field kick in and Nowell gathers!

England are so close and the Wallabies are hanging on on their own try line here!

63' Wallabies lineout!

Oh terrific from Tom Wright!

He spotted a gap from inside his 22 and raced into England territory!

He's chipped ahead and England gather at the back, but Wright is there and he drags the England player into touch Gordon Tallis style!

Wallabies line out on the ten metres line!

62' Wallabies turnover!

England wins the lineout and march 20 metres up field!

Now it's in the loose and Mako Vunipola takse the ball into contact.

Loose pass though and here come the Wallabies!

61' Wallabies steal the lineout!

Up goes Matt Philip and down he comes with the ball.

The Wallabies spread the ball wide left but O'Connor's chip ahead goes out on the full!

Big error from the Reds flyhalf.

England has a line out on half way.

60' England get the scrum penalty!

Now one goes against the Wallabies at scrum time!

Luke Cowan-Dickie smiles as he gets up, notching up a win for his front row brethren, although one of them now leaves the field, Will Stuart off for Joe Hayes.

59' Wallabies knock on!

Oh no! The Wallabies had the territory, they had the go forward and then on the crash ball Koroibete knocks on.

England scrum 16 metres out from their own line, as Smith prepares to get ready to come back on.

57' Another Wallabies injury

This time it's Cadeyrn Neville whose knee has been smashed and he needs the medical cart too.

And England have an HIA, Sam Underhill is out and Lewis Ludlaim is on.

57' Penalty Wallabies!

Oh now thing are turning around for the Wallabies!

England are on the back foot and are being penalised for not rolling away.

Noah Lolasio will kick ... for touch!

Brave, trying to take the advantage while England are down to 14.

They have a lineout 13 metres out.

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