Australia win second test against England

Australia 43 England 18

MELBOURNE - Australia completed a 2-0 series victory in the Cook Cup when they beat England 43-18 in the second rugby test at the Telstra Dome on Saturday.

First-half tries from George Smith, Mark Gerrard and Lote Tuqiri guided the Wallabies to a 19-6 half-time lead despite England controlling possession for much of the period.

Mark Chisholm, Gerrard and Stephen Larkham added three further tries with George Chuter and Tom Varndell, in the dying seconds, scoring England's only tries of the tour.

Centre Stirling Mortlock, who became the Wallabies' 73rd captain with George Gregan starting on the bench, struck five conversions and a penalty while fly-half Andy Goode hit a drop goal, penalty and a conversion for England.

Halfback Gregan established a world record when he won his 120th cap after he was introduced as a replacement for Sam Cordingley in the 56th minute, beating the previous mark of 119 set by England prop Jason Leonard.

Australia won the first test 34-3 in Sydney on Sunday.

- REUTERS