Joe Launchbury named man of the match despite masterclass from Bernard Foley as England crashed out out Rugby World Cup after humiliating defeat by Australia

  • England were beaten 33-13 by Australia at Twickenham on Saturday night 
  • Hosts were sent crashing out of the World Cup before at the group stage
  • Bernard Foley scored 28 of Australia's points during masterclass
  • But England Joe Launchbury was named Mastercard man of the match  

Bernard Foley may have scored 28 of Australia’s 33 points, single-handedly inspired the Wallabies’ to one of their greatest ever triumphs and brought England to their knees at - but the Mastercard man of the match was Joe Launchbury.

The hosts were sent crashing out of the World Cup before the completion of the group stage after their consecutive Pool A defeat at the hands of the Wallabies at Twickenham on Saturday night.

Aussie fly-half Foley scored two first-half tries and produced a flawless kicking display as Australia dominated England from start to finish.

Joe Launchbury was voted as the official man of the match despite England's defeat by Australia

Joe Launchbury was voted as the official man of the match despite England's defeat by Australia

The second row was England's best performer on a night when the hosts crashed out of the World Cup

The second row was England's best performer on a night when the hosts crashed out of the World Cup

Bernard Foley dives for the try line, one of two scores for the Australian fly-half in the first half

Bernard Foley dives for the try line, one of two scores for the Australian fly-half in the first half

Poll

Should Stuart Lancaster be sacked as England coach?

Should Stuart Lancaster be sacked as England coach?

  • Yes 4406 votes
  • No 2073 votes

Now share your opinion

  •  

But Foley's brilliant individual contribution was not enough to earn him the Mastercard man of the match award with that accolade going to the England second row - the look on Launchbury’s face? Priceless.


A sullen-faced Launchbury was pictured posing with the award after the match and looked like he wanted to be anywhere else but there.

In fairness to the 24-year-old, he put in an assured performance, offering stubborn resistance at the breakdown and was easily the pick of the England players on a dreadful night for the host nation.

Needless to say social media was soon littered with bemused on-lookers following the announcement.

Rugby correspondent for walesonline.co.uk Simon Thomas took to Twitter to ask: 'How on earth was Joe Launchbury named official Man of the Match after that? Whatever the selection system is, it stinks to high heaven.'

Well the award is in fact chosen by supporters able to cast their vote on the Mastercard website or on Twitter. Given that the match was played early in the morning in Australia it is little surprise that England supporters were able to sway the vote.

Foley produced a flawless kicking display too converting all three Australian tries and kicking four penalties

Foley produced a flawless kicking display too converting all three Australian tries and kicking four penalties

Foley scored 28 of the 33 points during his match-winning display but it wasn't enough to win man of the match

Foley scored 28 of the 33 points during his match-winning display but it wasn't enough to win man of the match

 

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.