England suffered a fifth successive Test match defeat on Saturday – their worst run for 22 years.
Not since 1984, when Wales, France, South Africa (twice) and Australia toppled them, have England experienced such a demoralising results sequence.
It was another chastening experience for coach Andy Robinson, who has lost 10 of his 18 Tests in charge since replacing World Cup-winning mastermind Sir Clive Woodward.
The Wallabies followed up last weekend’s 34-3 stroll in Sydney by putting England out of sight before half-time through tries from George Smith, Mark Gerrard and Lote Tuqiri as they regained the Cook Cup.
And when both England props Graham Rowntree and Julian White departed at the break through injuries, the tourists’ misery was complete, engaging in uncontested scrums with flanker Joe Worsley packing down in the front row alongside Tim Payne and George Chuter.
Flanker Mark Chisholm claimed a fourth Wallabies touchdown before Gerrard crossed again and fly-half Stephen Larkham completed the rout, with skipper Stirling Mortlock booting five conversions and a penalty.
England mustered a consolation tries by Chuter and wing Tom Varndell, plus a penalty and drop-goal from fly-half Andy Goode.
Without a win since mid-February, England are next in action against red-hot World Cup favourites New Zealand on November 5.
England have players such as Martin Corry, Charlie Hodgson, Josh Lewsey, Mark Cueto and Steve Thompson to return, but time is running out towards their 2007 World Cup defence.
The tourists suffered a late injury blow when flanker Lewis Moody withdrew from the second Test.
The 40 times-capped Leicester forward failed to recover from a calf muscle strain, and was ruled out of contention, so Robinson drafted in London-born former Australia Under-21 international Michael Lipman for his first Test start.
As in Sydney, England began brightly, with Varndell given an immediate chance to run at opposite number Tuqiri, and the world champions monopolised early possession.
It brought a reward when Goode slotted a fourth-minute drop-goal, but the lead lasted barely 100 seconds as Australia scored from their first attack.
Larkham’s kick into space caused little initial danger, but it bounced off Goode and Smith hacked clear, capitalising on another kind bounce – this time off Varndell – for a clear run to the posts to set the tone for the game.
England did not lack ambition, yet their basic passing skills were below par and Australia’s attacking aggression reaped its reward.
