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Both Australia and England will want to finish their 2014 Test season on a high when they tussle at Twickenham on Sunday morning. Join us on The Roar for live scores and commentary from London from 1.30am (AEDT).
One year out from the World Cup, where these two teams will meet again at the same venue, this shapes to be an engrossing battle. Both countries need a win to stave off the critics and ease a bit of pressure, as both have lost five of their past six matches.
Stuart Lancaster has decided to tinker with his side, keeping George Ford at 10 and brining in Billy Twelvetrees at 12. That should allow England to play with a bit more variety and spice, indicating that perhaps it won’t be all kick, chase, scrum and maul.
Ireland had success with those tactics against Australia last weekend, as did France, so it will be fascinating to see how England plays in this game.
Mike Brown has been out of form but remains a threat, while Jonny May and Anthony Watson are both speedy finishers. Ben Youngs is a more traditional 9 than Danny Care, who has been left out, but the England forward pack has plenty of size in Ben Morgan, Tom Wood and skipper Chris Robshaw, not to mention in the second row.
The Wallabies scrum will be under huge amounts of pressure in this game and their defence against England’s big ball-carriers will need to be strong.
How much the Australian scrum wobbles late in the match, when bodies tire and replacements come on, could be telling.
Luke Jones struggled to make an impact against Ireland so Sean McMahon gets another chance at 6. The loss of Tevita Kuridrani for the Wallabies is a big one and forced a backline re-jigg, with Adam Ashley-Cooper moving into the centres and Rob Horne taking his spot on the wing.
Michael Cheika has decided to stick with the Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley combination once again, despite Will Genia and Quade Cooper waiting in the wings.
This game might not be for World Cup points or any titles in particular, but it is still important.
Cheika is getting to know his side and experimenting with players in different positions. If his team can get a win over both Wales and England on British soil this November, it’s a handy psychological advantage going into the tournament next year.
For England it’s been a case of nearly, nearly. They were close against New Zealand and South Africa, but fell short. A win over Samoa was achieved but they didn’t set the world alight.
A big southern hemisphere scalp before the end of 2014 would be perfect as they prepare for the upcoming Six Nations and the World Cup.
England had the wood over Australia at Twickenham last year, running out 20-13 winners, and they’ll be confident they can do the same again.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.