Sir Clive Woodward is confident England can beat Australia at Twickenham on Saturday, claiming Michael Cheika’s side are “not the brightest team”.
The Rugby World Cup 2015 hosts face the prospect of failing to qualify for the quarter-finals following last weekend’s 25-28 defeat to Wales, but Woodward believes all is not lost for Stuart Lancaster’s men.
It is a must-win game against Australia and Woodward claims with the right tactics they are there for the taking.
He told the Daily Mail: “It is not a case of playing random running rugby against Australia, it’s all about attacking cleverly and with purpose.
“It’s about never letting them off the hook. If you can keep hold of the ball and run through the phases, always moving forwards, Australia will disintegrate. Do the opposite of what they expect, move the ball quickly from the scrum, take quick line-outs, tap and go.
“Contrary to popular belief, they are not the brightest team., they give away penalties and pick up yellow cards when they are stretched.
“Playing at pace also applies to the scoreboard, keep it ticking. Just always score next. Target five tries and if they want to give us penalties in the process, take them too.”
Jwedlake
Guest
I totally agree 100%.
Vic
Guest
Ha - not necessarily. Could be a case of dumb and dumber.........
dru
Roar Rookie
I'm happy in a merged team that has no English roses. This largely due to the coaches. Loved Cheikas quip on emotional intelligence. We'll see shortly. But I doubt that serious punters are placing England as favourites. (Doesn't mean they aren't a chance.) Take it Wobblies.
gbrizzy
Guest
Sir Clive is more than entitled to his opinion as are those up in arms about what he may of said. I reckon the Wallabies will be underdone for this match and right for the next. Played Fiji who had a short turnaround then Uruguay now a desperate English team then a supposed Welsh team that many fans (wallaby fans) suggest will be a stroll in the park. Can't wait
Harry
Guest
Very pleased with Cheika's quality response to this and indeed the way the Wallabies have handled themselves in the buildup. Kept quiet for once. Go the Wallabies.
Hokonui27
Guest
Oz ........... you MUST win tomorrow......... I really want to see Woodward hung out to dry...... the pratt! Go the West Islanders!!!
JimmyB
Guest
Ooh Ronan, bit far from home aren't we?!
Really
Guest
" Sir my ass"......Brilliant !!! A shame Monty Python are stil not around !
Taylorman
Guest
Oh I just see Him as noise over the years since he fumbled through that tour, a bit like that Stuart Barnes. They pipe up with pearls of wisdom every so after. I mean the comments here are fairly benign and could apply to any side our match. 'Keep scoring next' I mean pretty radical stuff don't you think?
Ken Cathpole's Other Leg
Guest
Well nothing like a bit of pomposity from a 'to and from' to reweld the Anzac alliance Tman? Actually apart from the feigned arrogance in the exMarlin's fullback's (yes Clive once played for Manly)comments, I think there is some potential truth is his spray. Australia play best when their heads are clear. When they are not the rugby does go dumb. Cheika has turned a team of individuals who could not match NZ in any more than 3 positions, into a NZ beating team. Once. Australian rugby dominance has coincided with periods of smart leadership. Mental strength and strategy will pave the way for the Wallaby victory, if it happens. Clive is not as dumb as he looks. He is attempting to sow doubt. But I'm betting that Cheika has worked on the Wallaby heads as much as their fitness. Whether that is enough to topple a determined pack of TeleTubbies with their backs to the wall? .....we will know around breakfast time tomorrow
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
This will only make it sweeter when the Wallabies dump the Poms out of the WC!
DJM
Guest
Clive who ? The bloke riding Johnny's back for 12 yrs . Anybody could have coached that English team to 03 glory and he just scraped home . Sir my ass -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Anyway, back to Sir Clive Woodward and his pearls of Wisdom about Australia, we'll get to South Africa if England get to play them. Your Analogy is appropriate , you might need to explain it to "old Woody" , but also throw in the one about "people in glass houses" and " pot calling the kettle black" He is bound to understand at least one of them. :D
Taylorman
Guest
I just laugh whenever Woodward pipes on about rugby after his Lions tour of NZ in 2005, the biggest army of support staff ever to tour here where even the masseurs had masseurs and they got sent packing after being soundly beaten. He thought he was pretty smart then too...??
atlas
Guest
Not read any Bob Dwyer then ? Every country has them, and they're wheeled out at RWC time With apologies to Pink Floyd Take all your overgrown infants away somewhere And build them a home, a little place of their own. The William Webb Ellis Memorial Home for Incurable coaches and refs And they can appear to themselves every day On closed circuit T.V. To make sure they're still real. It's the only connection they feel.
Really
Guest
Woodward is still the laughing stock of British rugby after the last Lions tour to NZ ! They got so badly canned that he employed a politician , Alister Cambell, to take the heat off him ! Woodward has not had a coaching job since he " was not the brightest " ! Woodward won a World Cup off the back of a fit Jonny Wilkinson . He is universally regarded as a tool and/or clown !
JimmyB
Guest
I was talking to Nick btw.
Selector
Guest
Haha nice analogy Jimmy
PeterK
Roar Guru
Ciprirani would not have any aussies including Pocock make the english team
JimmyB
Guest
Wtf are you on about mate? Read before commenting would be my advice. I'd have Robshaw in a combined team as it happens but at 6 his natural position and obviously Pocock at 7, Morgan at 8 and either Vunipola or Hooper on the bench...is that ok for you?