The Wallabies’ miserable year has ended with a dispiriting 37-18 defeat to England at Twickenham.

With the scores level at 13-all at half-time, the Wallabies fell apart in the second half as Eddie Jones’ side chalked up a record sixth successive win over Australia.

In a week that began with the players battling a sickness bug that spread through the squad, then the loss of star flanker David Pocock, followed by two players being stood down for breaking tour rules, the Wallabies were always facing an uphill battle against their old rivals.

The defeat was the 10th from 15 Tests in 2018 for Michael Cheika’s side, who look a long way off replicating their 2015 World Cup heroics just 10 months from next year’s showpiece in Japan.

The tourists got off to the worst possible start when Dane Haylett-Petty’s attempted second-minute clearance was charged down by Ben Youngs deep inside the Wallabies’ half.

After then conceding a scrum, Australia’s defence was caught napping as Jonny May dived over untouched in the right corner.

The absence of Pocock was stark for the Australia, as they struggled terribly at the breakdown with England controlling the opening 30 minutes.

But the hosts had only two Owen Farrell penalties to show for their superiority following May’s try.

Matt To’omua’s penalty put Australia on the scoreboard, but they failed to cross England’s 22-metre line until a Jack Maddocks break in the 25th minute.

However, the Wallabies managed to grow into the game and looked to have scored a try from their first meaningful attack one minute later.

Samu Kerevi powerful run and pass and found Haylett Petty who finished superbly.

But just as To’omua lined up to kick the extra two points, South African referee Jaco Peyper ruled the pass was forward via the big screen and awarded England a scrum.

Buoyed by that feeling of injustice Cheika’s men hit back with a try of the highest class from Israel Folau in the 36th minute.

Running on in support from fullback, Folau, latched onto an inside pass from Samu Kerevi and waltzed past Farrell and Youngs to touch down under the posts.

The half ended in controversial fashion when Farrell stopped the advancing Izack Rodda with a no-arms tackle centimetres from the line.

But instead of being awarded penalty try and seeing the England co-captain to the sin bin, Australia had to make do with another penalty in front of the posts from To’omua.

To add insult to injury, three minutes after the restart Farrell set up Elliot Daly for a long-range try with a superb offload as the fullback blitzed past Haylett-Petty to find his way over the line.

Tries from Joe Cokanasiga and Farrell, who also kicked three penalties and four conversions, put the game well out of Australia’s reach despite a late consolation from Folau in the final minute.