The Albany Gazette - Pollock shines as England eventually overpower Australia

England, despite dominating territory and possession, led just 10-7 at half-time through a George penalty and Ben Earl's converted try, before Harry Potter's superb solo length-of-the-field intercept score got Australia back into the match.

And it wasn't until the 59th minute of a scrappy encounter that the score changed with Pollock, one of five replacements who revived the hosts' pack, crossed for a third try in two Tests for England, after a double off the bench on debut against Wales in Cardiff in March.

The 20-year-old's effort left the hosts eight points ahead going into the final quarter before further tries from scrum-half Alex Mitchell and replacement hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie sealed England's eighth straight win against all opponents.

"You are just trying to be in right position and luckily it worked out (for my try)," Pollock, yellow-carded late on, told TNT Sports.

"Steve (England coach Steve Borthwick) said to come on and make an impact. It is a cool environment to be part of."

Fellow back-row Earl, the player of the match, said: "I think the experience over the last 18 months helped coming here today. A year ago we may not have won that game."

Australia were missing several first-choice players in Len Ikitau, Tom Hooper, James O'Connor and Will Skelton, with their European clubs not obliged to release them for a match staged outside World Rugby's designated window for November internationals.

England, by contrast, were at full strength thanks to a player-release agreement between the Rugby Football Union and the Prem in a match that will still have a bearing on the world rankings and the quest to secure a premium top-six seeding for December's draw for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

Joe Schmidt, the Australia coach, made eight changes to the side that edged Japan 19-15 in Tokyo last week.

The Wallabies, who enjoyed a dramatic 42-37 win at Twickenham last year, gave away an early penalty for a side entry at a ruck -- an issue reportedly highlighted by England in their pre-match meeting with referee Nika Amashukeli.

But England, kicking for an attacking line-out and then opting against going for goal from two more ensuing penalties, failed to turn early pressure into points, with prop Joe Heyes held up over Australia's try-line.

England eventually broke the deadlock in the 20th minute through Ford's 35-metre penalty.

And moments later they led 10-0.

Mitchell's clearing box-kick was caught by Tom Roebuck, the wing outjumping Australia centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, noted for his skill under the high ball.

Roebuck then found Sam Underhill, with the flanker releasing fellow back-row Earl, who sprinted in between the posts for a try converted by Ford.

- Potter magic -

Earl almost had a second try on the half hour but was held up over the line thanks to brilliant defensive work by Potter.

Potter turned from try-saver to try-scorer when he picked off England centre Fraser Dingwall's pass near Australia's line and sprinted clear in the 34th minute, with fly-half Tane Edmed landing the conversion.

Borthwick made five changes -- all of them Lions -- to his pack early in the second half, including a new front row of Ellis Genge, Cowan-Dickie and Will Stuart, with loose forwards Tom Curry and Pollock also coming off the bench.

Pollock made his presence felt when, after Roebuck tapped a high kick back, he collected the loose ball and raced clear. The Northampton back-row was ankle-tapped just short of the line but dived over for a try on the right.

Ford couldn't convert but England were now 15-7 ahead.

England, with their revamped pack increasingly dominant, kicked for an attacking line-out near Australia's line before the sniping Mitchell broke away for another unconverted try.

And five minutes from time, Cowan-Dickie marked his 50th England cap with a try off a driving maul.

England continue their November programme at home to Fiji a week on Saturday, when Australia face Italy in Udine.

(L.Thomas--TAG)