England have recorded their biggest ever victory over the Wallabies at Twickenham, walloping Michael Cheika’s men 30-6 in wet and windy conditions at Twickenham Stadium.
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Final score
England 30
Wallabies 6
The Wallabies are in red-hot form, but will run into a serious arm wrestle against an Eddie Jones-led England side on Sunday morning. Join The Roar for a live blog of the match, starting from 2am AEDT.
Eddie Jones and Michael Cheika will continue their ding-dong coaching battle when England host Australia at Twickenham.
Both sides have strong recent form, and any Australian fan will not have forgotten the 3-0 drubbing handed to them by the English last season.
However, Australia come into this fixture with significantly more confidence, and more importantly, a culture of winning and winning well.
So, what happens in this one?
For England, Owen Farrell and Mario Itoje are recalled to the side that downed Argentina last weekend. Itoje, in particular, was sorely missed as the English struggled at lineout time.
His inclusion off the bench should provide a good platform for Jones’ men to attack from anywhere – an area of the game they struggled with last start.
Mike Brown has succumbed to concussion, which sees Anthony Watson step into fullback, while Jonny May returns from injury on the wing.
For the tourists, Adam Coleman has been replaced by Blake Enever in the second row, in an otherwise unchanged starting fifteen.
Lopeti Timani comes into the side on the bench, whilst Cheika has opted for a 6-2 split in his reserves.
Where the game will be won
The set piece.
I can’t see a huge difference between both sides in attack. Owen Farrell’s return will do wonders for England’s attack, while Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani will provide impact in the midfield.
At set piece time, however, there are weaknesses on both sides. Australia’s second row looks weakened, especially without Adam Coleman’s leadership in the lineout.
Indeed, at scrum time, Cheika’s men are susceptible to phases of weakness. In any case, whoever is steadiest in the lineout and at scrum time, will win this in a tight tussle.
Prediction
England versus Australia in any sporting contest is a battle of attrition, with both sides taking it to a new level.
Indeed, Twickenham will be rocking on Sunday morning, and it should be a bumper game. England I feel have slightly more in the tank, and will win this one in an arm wrestle.
England by 5
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Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
“Shall we say” that we should stick to the empirically observed truth, Tman.?
caped crusader
Guest
The riddler foley fan club is getting boring. I know you have to shout out when he does something good because it happens so rarely but it is getting tired.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Englishbob, you have nailed it in one. The Wallabies malaise of Rugby is in itself summed up by your words: "Australia under Cheika will never change their tactics and score-lines like this one are the end result" Not only is it the tactics, it is his selections. He is not a Coach, simple and true and it is being borne out by his inability to select the right players in their right positions and change tactics and game plans to suit different teams. Best thing for Aus Rugby - punt Cheika!!!
JimmyB
Guest
It's a bit presumptuous to assume that the crowd were idiots, the one person to consistently prove himself an idiot is Chieka.
JimmyB
Guest
Good old Taylorman, once a plum...
JimmyB
Guest
Agreed, that was a very poor call, however stick to the script Funbus, the ref cost Australia that game.
JimmyB
Guest
True, but I think England's bench was a big difference and they seemed to be considerably filter and quicker going into the last 10 minutes.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Over the course of the season those two issues have stood out.
Jp
Guest
Typical aussies blame the ref, to think Hansens rant sbout the power of tmo's was scoffed at by Australians. Karma comes around.
timber
Guest
What a poor loser. Hooper was well offside for his try and Moore was clearly blocking ahead of Koroibete.
adastra32
Guest
Whatever dream you are in, it must be very comforting. For significant periods, the WBs played pretty well. But it was not enough. And it is not down to the ref. Or England. Or any other factor, that they lost.
adastra32
Guest
Damn those conditions! It's their fault when 'we' lose, as any fule kno. FWIW I thought the WBs played very well in certain parts of the game. And then the Finishers arrived....
Taylorman
Guest
So some reports are saying, its more the f ch*****ts comment he'll be drawing attention to shall we say.
Kane
Guest
Did he actually talk to the referee at half time?
Taylorman
Guest
"England played the conditions very well"... Hmmm, no I think its more a case of the conditions playing to the England gameplan well, England play like that no matter what the conditions are.
Taylorman
Guest
Yes technically he was offside so once again Cheikas thrown his toys out when he was in the wrong, speaking to the Ref at half time apparently about that very non try. Get the clowns outfit out again I say. He needs to respect the game and his side more. World rugby should slap him with a ticket. Tired of his antics. No doubt some fans will harp on about the Ref this week. Not going to change anything.
Taylorman
Guest
Odd, didnt see either of those problems today, the midfield defence and offence won the match for them, and Barrett? Did he miss one? Just put it down to a badly timed comment perhaps?
Chancho
Roar Rookie
Summed it up nicely!
Simon davison
Guest
Why is it every time the Aussies lose, it’s always the referees fault? Pretty sure the referee didn’t score 24 points. It’s called pressure, it generates decisions against you, and taking your opportunities. Please just accept that, and that England were better on the day.
Chris
Guest
We are talking about the same All Blacks who just scrapped past Scotland and were lucky to get a win and you say they would have be killed England today. Part of the wallaby or kiwi fan club that can't stomach an England win I see. From what i saw England played the conditions very well, they have very clever footballers and very quick backs. For most parts of the game England played in second gear with a few refs calls going their way but they scored 4 trys to nil even not at their best.