The Wallabies head to Twickenham to take on England at 2am (AEDT) on Sunday for the penultimate match of their Spring Tour.
The Aussies did enough to get past a rusty Welsh side last week, but know they’ll have to lift in order to vanquish the old enemy.
England, meanwhile, have won 11 straight at Twickenham under the watch of Eddie Jones, most recently a stuttering 21-8 win over Argentina.
They’ll be much better for the run and Michael Cheika has his work cut out to break England’s recent dominance.
Cheika has named an unchanged team, despite the Samu Kerevi experiment failing to pay dividends just yet.
There were whispers that Karmichael Hunt might take over at 12, but the utility man will once again play the role of super sub.
Update: Adam Coleman was taken out of the side late due to injury, and has been replaced by a debutant in Blake Enever.
For the home side, Maro Itoje return via the bench. With George Kruis dropped, Joe Launchbury partners Courtney Lawes in the second row ‒ a move that Jones flagged as an attempt to combat the Wallabies’ physicality.
Speedster Anthony Watson gets his first start at fullback in the absence of Mike Brown who has been ruled out with concussion.
The other big inclusion is Owen Farrell, who returns at inside centre after being rested for the Argentina clash.
Wallabies
1. Scott Sio 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau 3. Sekope Kepu 4. Rob Simmons 5. Blake Enever 6. Ned Hanigan 7. Michael Hooper (c) 8. Sean McMahon 9. Will Genia 10. Bernard Foley 11. Marika Koroibete 12. Samu Kerevi 13. Tevita Kuridrani 14. Reece Hodge 15. Kurtley Beale.Subs: Moore, Robertson, Alaalatoa, Phillip, Timani, McCalman, Phipps, Hunt.
England
1. Mako Vunipola 2. Dylan Hartley 3. Dan Cole 4. Joe Launchbury 5. Courtney Lawes 6. Chris Robshaw 7. Sam Underhill 8. Nathan Hughes 9. Ben Youngs 10. George Ford 11. Elliot Daly 12. Owen Farrell 13. Jonathan Joseph 14. Jonny May 15. Anthony Watson.Subs: George, Marler, Williams, Itoje, Simmonds, Care, Slade, Rokoduguni.
Prediction
There’s no doubting the ball carrying prowess of Kerevi but, with the exception of a bruising display against Japan, he’s looked uncertain in Wallaby gold this year.
It doesn’t bode well that, in 2016, the Kerevi-Kuridrani pairing was promptly abandoned during the ill-fated 0-3 home series loss to England.
The key with this configuration is the presence of Kurtley Beale at fullback, roaming for opportunities as both a playmaker and ball runner himself.
The Wallabies will look to use the big centres for first-phase hit-ups with Beale swooping around for quick recycled ball.
England aren’t messing around at the moment. They’ve lost just once in the past two years ‒ to Ireland in Dublin ‒ and appear to have added steel under Jones.
The asterisk is that they’ve dodged the All Blacks in the fixture list since 2014. While I don’t think they’re quite as strong as they’ve been portrayed, Jones still leads Cheika in head-to-head bouts 4-0.
If things descend into a scrappy arm wrestle, that streak is likely to continue.
The Wallaby scrum just about got out alive against Wales. Scott Sio has been below par of late. Once again, the ref’s whistle at set piece time could well decide this one.
I’m tipping a narrow Wallabies win, in the vain hope we don’t have to watch Farrell craning his neck towards the posts ad infinitum/nauseum.
Wallabies by 2.
PiratesRugby
Guest
I thought cards would go to Hooper and Simmons.
Minute-by-minute report: A classic rivalry resumes at Twickenham. Follow all the action with Lawrence Ostlere. Watch Free: https://t.co/mC0gH61SU0 Watch Free: https://t.co/mC0gH61SU0
Harry Jones
Expert
Australia by 2. 20-ish points the winning score.
Sirousleh
Roar Rookie
Sam Carter - man of the match on debut? His first few Wallabies games showed a lot of promise. Let's hope he gives a performance like that again.
Sluggy
Roar Guru
So to summarise, gents: The cognoscenti say - Hooper should not be picked. Foley should not be picked. I think they want Cooper & Gill instead. Pirates wants to sack a few members of the team, but has no decent alternatives. I think that about sums up their partisan input. Would you guys please watch the game tonight, and stop parroting out the same crap you always do? It's getting tired.
Sgt Pepperoni
Guest
Ha!
Sgt Pepperoni
Guest
Rain at Twickenham. Coleman out.... My heart says no but my head says you might be right
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
I will bite -- Simmons lasts a full 80 minutes -- as he does nothing!! Of his last 20 tests, I lost complete faith in him. He has not lived up to being a top lock!! Lineout control only and only 1 x good test every 5 or so tests. He has never played like a Whitelock or a Retallick or an Eales!!
eeds
Guest
Outside of 2nd row and depth at flyhalf I wouldn't take anyone. You could argue billy v as well but he seems to spend most of the time injured and McMahon has been playing the house down.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Plus 1 ++++ -- clearly the detail of why, oh why we struggle - Cheika's selections!! Cheers
Gepetto
Guest
Simmons is always #1. He plays 80 minutes of test quality football - 80 tests so far. New boys last a few games and they are off to the doctor, then rehab.
Rugby Fan
Roar Guru
Only two Lions wins for Cole & Youngs. The 2013 series was a 2-1 result. I don't really care how anyone splits out historical record. We come out pretty evenly matched whether you look at all fixtures or just the professional era. England has defeated Australia three times at the World Cup, you've beaten us twice (considering we've only had eight tournaments, it's quite something we've decided each others fates in as many as five) Australia's longest winning streak is four matches, while ours is five. Australia, as one of the Big 3 southern hemisphere sides, naturally feels part of the leading pack compared with the North, In truth, though, when its comes to a straight head-to-head with England, there is no gulf at all.
Boomeranga
Guest
Sure, but three of those nine aren't England. We'd beat England tonight if we could rope in Eben, Brodie, Read and Ben Smith. And if you were going to pick one of the last five games to win, that was the WC game.
RucknRoll
Guest
Spot on Bob. I never thought I would ever feel ashamed of an Australian national sporting team but the 2016 hamfisted bumbling of the Wallabies that felt comfortable coughing up over 35 points per game over and over reached levels of mediocrity that defied belief. I thought they couldn't sink any lower until then they lose at home to Scotland then get flogged by 50 by the All Blacks. Quigley was right. This team does not play with pride. Don't get fooled by Kurtley's game saving trick play last week. The core of this team comes from the Waratahs, the 4th best Australian team with a woeful defensive record. Don't kid yourself pulling on a gold jersey changes this. The All Blacks find a champion 7, make him captain and win two world cups. The Wallabies find a champion 7, bump him to another position to make way for a favoured also-ran then bump him overseas so the also-ran can be captain. A captain who thinks it's actually acceptable to take the field with his socks around his ankles like an under 6 wanting to show everyone how special and different he is from the rest of the team. I truly hope the ARU aren't wondering about the disconnect between these Wallabies and their fans. And don't think there aren't good players. There are. They just don't play for the Waratahs that's all. Would Ned Hanigan be a Wallaby if he played for anyone other thsn the Waratahs? Enough said.
Rugby Fan
Roar Guru
England have a pretty good record against Australia compared with South Africa and New Zealand. Both sides have had periods of dominance, but neither has strung together more than five consecutive wins. The last good Australian period was 2004 - 2010 but that also included a painful World Cup loss to England in 2007. Our last good run has been from 2010 to now, where we've won eight out ten matches but lost the one we really wanted at the 2015 World Cup. One indication that England have done all right against Australia recently, is that Dan Cole & Ben Youngs, who both play today, have been on the winning side against Australia nine times (including Lions Tests). That's a record for Home Nations players against the Wallabies.
double agent
Guest
I wouldn't say that's normal service. The results between the two sides have been fairly even over the years. I think the Wallabies are slightly ahead.
mosmanbymyself
Roar Rookie
Heart says Wallabies by 6, brain says England by 3
Cuw
Guest
in other news : BRAD SHIELDS has opted to play for ENGLAND, by joining WASPS in 2018. http://www.planetrugby.com/news/shields-opts-for-england-over-all-blacks-report/
englishbob
Guest
Return to usual service means England beats Australia with an unimaginative but effective game plan, don't worry I'm not putting England up there with nz
double agent
Guest
It's a shame Nick Phipps isn't 6'5 and 120kg he would make one helluva lock!!!