Wallabies vs England

Minute-by-minute report: The Wallabies host tourists England in Perth for the opening Test of the series. Join Jonathan Howcroft.

While for the Wallabies, Dave Rennie was appointed over two years ago but there remains a feeling his side is still in transition. However, victory in Perth would see the Wallabies leapfrog England on the world rankings. Taniela Tupou failed to recover in time from a calf injury but may feature later in the series. But it’s an unfamiliar pack featuring two debutants, including 33-year-old lock Cadeyrn Neville. In the backs, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete offer a formidable presence that is sure to be used to punch holes in England’s defence. Will it be enough to put England to the sword? Sounds simple enough on paper but lest we forget they did not have Samu Kerevi lining them up back in November and it is a surefire bet they will see plenty of the Australia centre in the coming weeks. Kurtley Beale is out injured, Reece Hodge and Matt To’omua were not selected in the 35-man squad, and James O’Connor didn’t make the 22. Plenty of attention will fall on the playmakers with the recalled veteran Danny Care in the No 9 jersey feeding the Marcus Smith-Owen Farrell axis that looks set to determine England’s short-term future. Neville was first selected in an Australian squad a decade ago but, until now, has never actually made it on to the field. The British & Irish Lions are due in 2025, the 2027 and 2029 World Cup tournaments were secured in May and the Olympics is coming to Brisbane in 2032. When a high bomb is hoisted his way there are few better equipped to defuse the aerial danger. But try telling that to the host nations.

Join us for live coverage from Optus Stadium as coaches Dave Rennie and Eddie Jones go head to head in a three-test series.

Live coverage of the 1st Test between Australia and England. The hosts lost Quade Cooper to injury during the warm-up before having Darcy Swain sent off.

A chance for Lolesio to get the hosts on the board... 23rd minute: Excellent work from the Australia pack and England collapse the scrum. 13th minute: Farrell with the up and under, brilliant hands from George. England work possession back across the field. Banks comes careering over the top of Vunipola looking to retrieve the high ball and the fullback lands heavily on his arm. The hosts have a penalty coming for offside but sense the first try of the series. The tourists see out the danger but here's Lolesio with a chance to level matters. Farrell hooks the conversion across the posts and the tourists have to settle for five. Once Hill is back from his stint in the bin, Jones will look for his men to turn the screw. Australia secure the lineout and Fainga'a is alert to the possibilities to crash over. 56th minute: Heroic work from Australia as England kick for the corner and Vunipola looks to blast a way through. 71st minute: Jack Nowell wins the ball from the restart and England surge forward in desperation. 74th minute: Now it's the Wallabies' turn to throw in some scrappy nonsense as they make a mess of their lineout.