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At least that’s what Roarer Rex Godwin says. Anybody who’s been around The Roar for a while will be familiar with Rex who, at age 81, is one of the oldest Roarers currently posting.
What makes Rex distinctive, apart from his longevity, is that he still travels to suss out the opposition. He was in Lyon recently to watch the Saracens in the European Champions Cup games partly because so many of the quality players in Eddie Jones’ 32-man squad were slated to come from that team.
And so it proved – six of them are certainties to start in Brisbane. Rex was also at Twickenham last weekend to watch an England side beat Wales in a warmup.
“I’m impressed,” he told me via email. “The Saracen contingent – Itoje, Kruis, Farrell, Goode, George, Billy Vunipola and Mako Vunipola – is a very talented bunch.
“And when you include players like Hartley, Cole, Slade, Joseph, Nowell and Watson, you’ve got the nucleus of a run-on side that’s going to be very formidable at Suncorp.”
I told Rex I’d heard that Jones was making great strides in changing England’s traditional style.
“And in an amazingly short time,” Rex answered.
“Eddie has shrugged off the plodding Six Nations trudge and is talking up fast, rambunctious forward play with the backs sending the ball wide to their very speedy wings.”
I asked Rex for his take on the three-Test format in Australia.
“When you’re playing a three-game series, there are two schools of thought,” he wrote back.
“One school says a loss in the first Test inspires the losers to greater effort in the second Test. The other school says a first-test loss puts too much pressure on the losers who then press in the second Test and make mistakes. I agree with this second opinion.”
And what about Jones?
“I’m sure he [agrees with me]. Eddie’s on a roll. He’s six and zero since taking over England, and he’s intent on making that seven and zero. He’s taking a confident squad to Brisbane, and he’s got to keep that confidence up for Melbourne.”
I asked whether Glen Ella coming in as attack skills coach would make a difference?
“Absolutely. I’ve known Glen and his brother Mark since they were a couple of marvels at Matraville High. I had a chance to chat to Glen
in London this time through and he’s very up on his England charges, particularly any combination of the back three which was Glen’s area as a Wallaby.
“He feels that, for the first time in ages, England will have a potent midfield with a couple of great finishers on the edges. He’s encouraging the backs to grab their chances from turnover possession, not to kick as they would have in the old days, and indeed did in the Six Nations, but to race toward the chalk in a backline sweep as the Wallabies and the All Blacks invariably do.”
And did Glen reveal who he favoured to do the job?
“I didn’t ask because he wouldn’t have told me. He’s signed the official rugby secrets act. But I think I know who he and Eddie have in mind.”
“[Danny] Care at No.9, who should have a D on his jersey for dangerous anywhere inside the opposition’s half. [George] Ford had a nightmare against Wales, not only leaving 14 points on the tee but being uncertain in general play.
“Still, I think Eddie will talk him into belief and start him at No.10 with Owen Farrell, who’s an outstanding penalty kicker, good defender and distributor, outside him, Jack Nowell and Anthony Watson on the wings and Alex Goode at fullback.
“Goode is no great shakes hitting the line but he has a potent, long-range punt which I believe Eddie will employ to bring his superior lineout into play. Watson has real pace which is something the Wallabies don’t have in a winger now that Henry Speight is lost to sevens.”
And their forwards?
“Better than ours, I’m afraid. Hooker [Dylan] Hartley hasn’t played a lot of rugby since suffering his second concussion. He played against Wales but wasn’t his usual combative self. However, I’m sure he’ll be back to being a firebreather in Brisbane because, as captain, it will be demanded of him.
I expect [Dan] Cole and Mako Vunipola to prop. Cole’s always strong and Mako’s a real ground gainer. We don’t have anybody in the front row who can grab off a lot of real estate. Stephen Moore’s a fine captain but as a runner he’s strictly two yards and a cloud of dust. His backup, Tatafu Polota-Nau, is a damn good ball carrier but his lineout lob, well, let’s just say he’ll never play for the Lakers.
“Eddie’s greatest area of superiority is his second row. [George] Kruis, a battered warrior, is just about always a success as a target and [Maro] Itoje’s the thief of Bagdad. You don’t have to lift him, he’s Springheeled Jack. And those two are extremely well backed up by [Joe] Launchbury and [Courtney] Lawes who can also play No.6.
“Perhaps Cheika will choose our two best scrummagers and try for superiority in the scrums. Or he may go with Rob Simmons and 6’10” Rory Arnold, or tap Will Skelton and tell him to collect heads. I’ve given up guessing on our game-day pairing.”
And what does Rex think about England’s back row?
“First rate. Brisbane-born Jack Clifford’s a real find. Probably the fastest big man since Pierre Spies. At No.6 [James] Haskell’s another biggie and makes a nuisance of himself like Owen Finegan used to do.
“But it’s Billy Vunipola at No.8 who’s the standout. Heavy through the hips, buttocks and thighs he has terrific leg drive and a try-and-stop-me attitude. David Pocock, who I think will be our No.8 at Suncorp, is a wonderful No.7 but is less effective at the back of the scrum.
At No.6 Scott Fardy’s world class. I think Cheika will pick Michael Hooper at No.7 to make up, in small part, for the loss of Kurtley Beale. And a great loss it is as a Beale/Israel Folau midfield would have carved up England.”
And to predicitons, who does Rex think will come out on top in the first Test?
“We’ll have home field advantage of course and a vociferous crowd tearing strips off the old foe. Another negative for England is that they’ll be fielding some players who’ve never seen action at Suncorp.
“But, and there’s always a but, Eddie surprised the Boks and his team could surprise the Wallabies. I’m a Wallaby fan first and foremost, and I think they’ll score, say, three tries to two. But with Farrell handling the penalties, I think England will take the first Test.”
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.