In a triumph for the ages at England's 'HQ', replacement Max Jorgensen went over for a spectacular score in the 83rd minute on Saturday with the final attack of a pulsating match.
It gave Joe Schmidt's side a thoroughly deserved 42-37 win, Australia's first victory over England at Twickenham since their World Cup triumph nine years ago.
Jeremy Williams power's over for his side's second try against England. (AP PHOTO)
It concluded a sensational match in which the hosts looked as if they had snatched victory when Maro Itoje went over for a converted try in the 79th minute, just four minutes after Andrew Kellaway appeared to have won it for the Aussies with a breakaway score from his own half.
"Three tries in the last five minutes to win it, lose it, win it - that's the fluctuations of emotions. You're up, you're down, you're up. But one thing I thought stayed up was the effort from the team," said a proud Schmidt, after Australia broke their worrying three-match winless sequence.
Aukuso-Suaalii's eagerly awaited debut in his first rugby union match since he was a schoolboy five years ago featured a few fleeting moments of brilliance and some aerial mastery from the cross-code recruit as he helped set up the first of Australia's five tries for Tom Wright in the first half with a lovely offload.
Even if his man of the match award seemed a mite generous amid towering displays from backrow teammates headed by the magnificent Rob Valetini, it was a terrific bow for the ex-Rooster, with Schmidt declaring that he'd proved any doubters wrong.
MAX. JORGENSEN. 🔥— Wallabies (@wallabies) #Wallabies #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/o4wIi18bYkNovember 9, 2024
"I know there was some doubts expressed about him being selected and the risk, but I think people would now see why we involve a young man like that. He's been professional all week, and was really strong today."
Suaalii played every minute and was even instrumental in the winning score, helping force Itoje into a knock-on from the crucial restart with his aerial challenge, from which Australia earned the put in at the scrum which launched 20-year-old Jorgensen's winner.
Aussie rugby's golden boy before Suaalii came along, Jorgensen was sent powering up the left touchline and skydiving over the line, set free by the excellent Len Ikitau's remarkable one-handed offload after a flowing last-ditch attack.
Captain Harry Wilson and lock Jeremy Williams were the Wallabies' other scorers in a win hailed by veteran forward Allan Alaalatoa as "being right up there" as one of Australia's great wins, with only replacement prop James Slipper previously knowing what it was like to beat England at Twickenham. Â Â
The hosts had been rampant from the outset, with flanker Chandler Cunningham-South roaring over for two early scores, Marcus Smith running the show from flyhalf and the Wallabies finding themselves on the rack 15-3 down after just the first-quarter.
Australia's Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii with the offload pass that set up the first try. (AP PHOTO)
Enter Suaalii. Noah Lolesio had narrowed the margin with a penalty and when Australia attacked down the left, a beautifully timed one-handed pop pass over the top from the 21-year-old as two tacklers came bearing down on him, put Wright in.
Then Tate McDermott, on as a blood bin replacement for Jake Gordon, quickly dazzled when he burrowed through a gap to put skipper Wilson in for a score he'll never forget.
Leading 20-18 at the break after their wretched start, the Wallabies went further clear when Western Force lock Williams ploughed down in the corner after a short-side attack, the TMO confirming the on-field ruling after a lengthy review that he had grounded the ball fractionally before his left foot slid into touch.
Lolesio put the Wallabies 10 points clear after a stirring counter-attack but another delicious grubber from Smith was latched on to by replacement Ollie Sleightholme for a brilliant riposte, and the Northampton man sped over for another in the 68th minute, with Suaalii left exposed in defence. It looked as if the Australians were finished.
But Kellaway snaffled up a misplaced pass to scoot over from his own half with five minutes left, only for England to forge back one last time amid huge cheers from the 82,000 home crowd as Itoje scored, with Smith adding the extras to give England a two-point lead with just seconds left.
Then Ikitau and Jorgensen provided the magic to win it.
