Rugby world loses it as 'unbelievable' truth behind miracle Wallabies victory is laid bare

Rugby fans around Australia and the world are struggling for superlatives after Max Jorgensen’s late, late try snatched a dramatic Wallabies victory over England that is being described as one of the country's finest ever. Few gave Joe Schmidt's Wallabies side much hope of toppling England at their Twickenham stronghold after just one victory in the previous 11 Test matches against the old enemy. The Wallabies also lost five of their six Tests in the recent Rugby Championship.

But Australia's never-say-die attitude came to the fore and Schmidt's shock decision to hand $5 million NRL recruit Joseph Suaalii his Test debut after no previous experience playing senior rugby paid off handsomely in the extraordinary 42-37 win. Suaalii was by no means perfect but his classy pop-pass to set up Australia's opening try for Tom Wright was a perfect illustration of what he can bring to the table.

Suaalii was fairly solid defending at outside centre, although he was found wanting late in the match when England replacement Ollie Sleightholme burst through to score a go-ahead try in the 68th minute. But it was the towering former Roosters star's aerial ability that really stood out as he diffused England's high kicks on countless occasions - his stunning debut seeing the Test rookie named man-of-the-match.

"I've come in, I'm 21 and I just feel I'm being myself," Suaalii told Stan Sport in front of 80,000 fans at Twickenham after the match. "It's a funny story – back in 2003, Samoa and England played, and my old man took me down. I was only a couple of months old, and my dad loves rugby that much. Honestly, to play against England today at Twickenham, it's just amazing...

"I just stuck to the process of just playing footy...and my teammates, they played their role and helped me big time... Just getting the win like that was amazing. It was very tough. I was just trying to get the ball as much as I can and I enjoyed my first game back."

Lead changes hands numerous times in 10-try epic

The pulsating 10-try spectacle saw England jump out to a 15-3 lead before Tom Curry was knocked out after getting his head in the wrong spot and collecting the knee of Rob Valetini. The Wallabies back-rower actually had to yell for referee Ben O'Keeffe to stop the match in a classy display of sportsmanship after the official let play go in with Curry lying motionless near the ruck.

Curry's exit seemed to change the momentum of the contest, with Suaalii's moment of genius followed by a Tate McDermott try and Noah Lolesio penalty that gave the Aussies a scarcely believable halftime lead. Jeremy Williams extended Australia's lead after the break, having just stayed in play before grounding the ball but England hit back courtesy of a brace to Ollie Sleightholme.

It set up a tense finale, and the fact the lead changed hands four times in the last 15 minutes said everything about the thrilling affair. Andrew Kellaway pounced on a misplaced England pass to once again put the Wallabies in front but Maro Itoje's 79th minute try looked to have broken Aussie hearts. There was, however, one final twist to the incredible contest.

Wallabies snatch win for the ages to stun rugby world

The siren had sounded to end the match more than three minutes before the Wallabies kept the ball alive and found space out wide for Len Ikitau to produce a sublime offload that sent Jorgensen racing clear down the left touchline. His elaborate swan-dive and the raucous celebrations from the Wallabies said it all as the rugby world reacted to one of the all-time great escapes from the Wallabies.

Commentator Sean Maloney didn't beat around the bush after describing it as "one of the greatest Wallabies wins in their 125-year history." And veteran Sydney Morning Herald sports reporter Iain Payten was also left in complete awe after tweeting: "Not sure I have seen a better win than that."