Have England just named a team to defend against Australia in the hope they will kick more points?

Question

Have England just named a team to defend against Australia in the hope they will kick more points?

Answer 1

Of course - that's the only reason they are current cup holders. But this time I think they're p-ssing in the wind.

Answer 2

They don't stand a chance England are S*it and their only good player will be shut down by the aussies, they probably won't score any points, it'll be a complete runover/light training run for the aussies.

Answer 3

Welshchick, I am sorry to say this, but yet again you are talking rubbish!

Firstly England hosted the World Cup in 1991 so another of your answers saying they have NEVER hosted it is cobblers!

Secondly, in 2003 England scored 36 tries - Wales ONLY scored 17.

England, who are still in the World Cup as they managed, however poorly, to get out of the group stages, will have to play defensivelyly.

If they are to win the game I reckon they have to stop Australia scoring anymore than 15 points which is going to be a task in itself.

So yes I think Ashton has picked a defensive team in the hope that they can strangle a win.

Winning ugly is still winning and if you win the World Cup ugly you still win the World Cup.  England will not defend the World Cup and may not have played pretty rugby in 2003 to do it, but they scored more tries than any other home nation and have won the World Cup more times than any other home nation!

In fact they have been in two finals more than any other home nation! (Assuming you don't class France as a home nation!)

Answer 4

No, unfortunately for England they don't have the skills in the forward pack to compete.  They are simply to slow and Australia will beat them up front.  They are equal in terms of strength at set pieces and stronger in the scrum but apart from that they will be found wanting in broken play.  They don't use there backs so when they ball does get to them they won't know what to do.  Australia should have a very convincing and easy run into the Semi Finals.

Answer 5

It is only a kicking game they can play in all honestly, they won the RWC in 2003 and only scored 3 tries throughout the tournament..........no wonder they rely on Wilko so much, he wins the games for them!

They have no other skills!

End of!