Playing the likely last ever rugby Test match at the SCG, the Wallabies fell just short in their quest to farewell the iconic ground with a home-town victory on Saturday.

With Australia taking the opening win in Perth and England responding in Brisbane, Eddie Jones's men delivered when the pressure was on.

It backed up their 2016 series win in Australia, which was a 3-0 whitewash and relieved pressure on coach Jones after a run of poor Six Nations results.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, who took over at the start of 2020, said there had been growth but felt they didn't play to their potential.

"It's disappointing because at this level you have you got to take your chances and and we left a lot out there," Rennie said.

"I reckon we're better than the result and better than the result last week.

"We had enough ball and territory and position to win, but we've got to be better."

Jones praised his team's leadership and also the youngsters in the team such as playmaker Marcus Smith and winger Tommy Freeman.

"We had to fight like anything and we kept in there," Jones said.

"We weren't at our best, which sometimes happens, but when you fight like that and win a game like that it's a big achievement."

The Wallabies created many more chances but were unable to turn their them into points with England's massive defensive effort also deserving praise.

Australia brought former NRL star Suliasi Vunivalu into the fray for his Test debut with three minutes remaining but the ex-Storm flyer was unable to find the match-winning try.

Smith delivered a crucial blow in the 55th minute when an Australian line-out went awry and Noah Lolesio failed to secure the loose ball.

Smith scooped it up and showed his blistering pace in racing 50m to touch down, with Owen Farrelly adding the extras for a 21-10 lead.

The Australians were able to hit back 10 minutes later when replacement hooker Folau Fainga'a burrowed over the line, closing the margin to four points.

The home side lived up to their promise to get off to a fast start but despite dominating territory and possession, found themselves trailing at halftime.

Poor execution and errors at key moments proved costly with Reece Hodge sending a ball sailing over the sideline, while prop Taniela Tupou was guilty of pushing passes that were never on.

While the halftime hooter sounded, England hammered the tryline before fullback Freddie Steward dived across to put his team ahead 11-10.

Australia's first-half try was scored by a hungry Tom Wright off a line-out, with Marika Koroibete sending a long ball out to his fellow winger.

He and Nic White combined before Wright raced to the line and Lolesio added the extras for a 7-3 lead after 26th minute.

Koroibete and Samu Kerevi were everywhere in attack while skipper Michael Hooper and lock Nick Frost, in his first Test start, also worked tirelessly but in the end it wasn't enough.

Australian Associated Press