Steward, Smith power England to win third Test and series against Australia

Tries from Freddie Steward and Marcus Smith powered England to a come-from-behind 21-17 victory in the deciding third Test against Australia on Saturday to seal a bruising series at a sold-out Sydney Cricket Ground.

Eddie Jones's men slumped 10-3 behind, but bounced back with 18 unanswered points to take control and hold off a frantic late charge from the Wallabies.

England's defence, marked by fierce tackling, thwarted the shorthanded Wallabies to claim the newly-minted Ella-Mobbs Cup with a 2-1 series victory. 

Jones's team became only the second England side to win a series in Australia after a historic whitewash in 2016. 

The triumph is a much-needed tonic for Jones, who has been under increasing pressure ahead of next year's World Cup in France after an indifferent start to the year for England.   

But it was a bitter result for the Wallabies, who have been trying to usher a new era after a period in the wilderness. 

Dave Rennie's men were hit hard through this brutal series by injury and suspension, which tested their depth and resolve as they fell agonisingly short. 

Prior to their tense series opening win in Perth, Australia had lost eight straight games to England since the 2015 World Cup and were desperate to wrap up a series against their old rival. 

After a dire first-half proved costly in game two in Brisbane, the Wallabies lived up to their vow of starting aggressively only for Noah Lolesio to botch a penalty in the opening minutes. 

The pumped-up Wallabies dominated territory but butchered opportunities and failed to capitalise on their early dominance.  

England made them pay and drew first blood in the 18th minute when former skipper Owen Farrell nailed a penalty. 

But Australia hit back superbly with a long range