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
Stacky
Guest
By my count Nick has passed the ball to no one across the touchline three times. The fact that he kicked the ball in the last minute of a recent test showed he & ors. have learnt zilsch from the last 2 minutes of the 2003 World cup. Gregan should have been hooked by Eddie 2 years pre retirement. They should replay that pass ( & direction to Matt Rogers) to kick the ball out in extra time. The English Skipper licked his lips & 45 seconds later Johnny W. pops it over. Thanks very much bois. Idiotic in the extreme. Hold the ball, have the courage of your convictions and drive forward with ball security and clean out.
Stacky
Guest
Thanks Phil. I'm one of the few in the North West who run the gauntlet in seeking to view Super Rugby in a pub or RSL and risk the wrath of the NRL crowd. Recently I was watching the Super final semi with the Waratahs. After half time in the gents the staff changed it to some other sport. Talk 'bout the Lions' Den.
Colin N
Guest
Sorry yeah, should have clarified that I have no issue with Watson and May, as well as Brown. Barritt does a job but he's not an outside centre. When he was put into space by an excellent pass by Twelvetrees, that showed his limitations - he just lacks gas and it stagnates England's play. Having said that, I think some of the current issues stem from the actual game plan, rather than the players playing in those positions, there doesn't seem to be the confidence there to express themselves. By that, I don't mean throw the ball around needlessly but actually having the confidence to play at a tempo.
RobC
Roar Guru
yeah kombie, its a poor start. Almost arrogant? I believe (hope?) Chieka will turn things around. But it starts with himself first. EM similarly, had a shocker of a TRC13 from a short runway. Then he had a think. Made changes and turned things around after.
kombiutedriver
Guest
And where is the RWC being played next year? Cheika is a genius in instigating his Waratah match plan to get out of the pool and through to the final where Beale will win the RWC and exhonorate his past indiscretions ............... yep ............. sigh .......
Clifto
Guest
there is so much factually wrong with your nonsense, I don't know where to start. so I won't bother.
Gregus
Guest
sorry palu, Polota-Nau are no guarantees more often injured than Not ,Higginbottom is past it, Pocock will be lucky to be anywhere near what he was and Moore is an outside possibility providing he doesn't reinjure himself quite possible with that type of injury just ask Pocock besides they will both have to find form and fitness ......if you want to see how injured players perform when they come back just look at Q cooper its nearly three years and hes far from what he was....
Wardad
Guest
Yup those Boks took a pasting from eng...whoops !
Jono
Guest
Why the hate for Nic White? He came on and provided good service at halfback. His only mistake was passing the ball into touch towards the end on the short side, but if you want to cruxify someone for that kind of pass you should target Folau for that terrible pass to Horne in a legitimate try scoring opportunity.
SandBox
Roar Guru
very well said
RobC
Roar Guru
Cheika selects players for his up-tempo, off-loading game first. Scrum second. This is poorest form of coaching at an international level. Im guessing this is comes from the lack of experience in international coaching EM understood this after his belting in TRC 2013, and re-oriented his team around set piece. He worked with all SR teams to turn things around in this area . Except one who didnt think it was priority because their offloading game will win the SR Now Cheika's saying the ref scrum officiating is not balanced, and England is not that good, using wheels etc. Demonstrates he has no idea about scrums, self-deluded, or making excuses.
RobC
Roar Guru
Colin, thought the OS backs and Barritt were ok. eg Brown's grubber created that pushover try from that lovely kick to Coopers wing. He, and his wingers chip chase were v good. The main issues is IS centre. 36 as I predicted, had a shocker Talking about 15. This is 2nd week is a row Folau drops a ball leading to scrum points. Last week it was an Irish 3 pointer, this week the first try. Then a poor pass dropping a 5 pointer He needs to lift his game. Oh well, next year maybe.
RobC
Roar Guru
hehe. Im almost certain Holmes will be happy to hear that :lol:
Digby
Roar Guru
I can only speculate Rob but I am pretty sure Holmes is no Beale ;)
RobC
Roar Guru
Hi DaniE. Turned off Astro Setanta shows the replays. Just saw it WB Scrums v average. Its selection / coach's choice Putting SeanMac at six the main cause.
Suzanne marie duncan
Guest
England deserved to win. I think the wallabies need pick who they are going to have for the world cup next year and stick with those players so they can play with more connection and also have the same coach
Steve Blackwell
Guest
Three loses in a row now for your boys Hooper and Cheika. But all is not lost apparently, Hooper says “learnt valuable lessons”, “all the games were close”, “a few bad calls from the Ref”. Cheika was upbeat also...”Many positives to take home”. Cheika let us in on his methods to effective coaching and the secret to returning the Wallabies to No.1 in the world: “We’ve got to make sure we’re better and leave no page unturned and keep moving forward.” ...Wow! ...and then: “We just have to be smart and make sure everyone’s on the same page.” Genius!
DaniE
Roar Guru
It was on 816 Rob?
RobC
Roar Guru
Couldnt see game properly, setanta didnt cover it :/ wizi spotty at best. Looks like BA was playing par for the course? Holmes - I guess, its because he's not Beale? ;)
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I agree
and he often loses the ball. How about that TransTasman Diplomat?