More than 80,000 loyal souls turned up for the second week in succession. This is not a cheap afternoon. For the price of one ticket a father can take his family to the cinema to watch James Bond fall out of the sky and still have change for a burger.
In the myopic environment of Pennyhill Park, to where England have returned to prepare for the visit of South Africa, the focus is on technical issues. Someone should blow a whistle, gather the squad and the coaches under the posts and explain that sport is something to be enjoyed, not endured.
This was a crushing blow for Lancaster. England have still to establish an identity under the school-teacher turned coach. There is an honesty and a vigour about their work but not yet the kind of invention and understanding borne of confidence and belief.
The fast ball, the gain-line busting chips and kicks were all Australian. Though England were ahead early, there was never the authority in English play to threaten the debunking Australia suffered in Paris. The French victory was predicated on forward dominance. The exit of Joe Marler inside 50 minutes told the story of England's front-row struggles.
Australia ripped open the pitch to put England under pressure at every opportunity. In response, England reverted to the rugby-by-numbers template that ultimately did for Johnson. The English supporters filled their morning with optimism and anticipation of a thunderous afternoon taking down the Aussie foe.
They did not come to watch England plod resolutely through phase after predictable phase. They yearned to see the ball move down the line at pace, to see someone drop a shoulder and shift through the gears. They did. The players were Australians.
England captain Chris Robshaw joined his coach in rolling out worthy platitudes.
There is, he said, a great desire to succeed. His desire is no greater than ours to be entertained. While at your drawing board, Chris, you might want to think about that. Independent
