International Rugby preview: the Wallabies are out for revenge against England
England believe that they can record back-to-back wins over Australia as the two teams meet at Twickenham on Saturday 13 November as part of the Autumn International Series.
England coach Martin Johnson has made one change to the team that were defeated by New Zealand 16-26.
Dylan Hartley is rewarded for his try against the All Blacks with a start against the Aussies. The hooker made an immediate impact for England when he came on as a substitute to replace veteran Steve Thompson
by scoring a try.
Lewis Moody will play despite suffering a blow to his head in a collision with New Zealand hooker Keven Mealamu.
Veteran Simon Shaw is called up to the bench after missing the opening Test against the All Blacks due to an injury. He replaces Dave Attwood who impressed as a substitute and will feel unlucky to be omitted
from the match day squad.
England beat Australia 20-21 in their last Test match in Sydney during the summer tour, but coach Johnson is not underestimating the challenge his team will face.
“In some ways they [Australia] are more dangerous than the All Blacks in the way they can break for tries,” Johnson said while announcing his team at a press conference.
Like England, Australia have only made one change to their starting 15 that beat Wales 16-25 on Saturday 6 November.
Stephen Moore comes in as hooker for Saia Faingaa. The Wallabies coach Robbie Deans feels that the hooker will add some experience to the front-row, which England are likely to target.
“Steve's a 50-Test plus player, so he brings with him a wealth of experience. He's played at Twickenham on a number of occasions,” said Wallabies coach Robbie Deans during a press conference.
Australia retains 13 off the players that lost to England in their last match during the summer tour.
The Wallabies will hope that their front five can live with England’s power, but they should hold a big advantage in the back-row with captain Rocky Elsom, David Pocock and Ben McCalman.
England will try to cut off the supply to out-half Matt Giteau who is one of Australia’s danger men.
The two team’s contrasting styles will mean that England will try and gain an advantage up front and use their physical forwards. They will target the scrum and should dominate that area.
They will also hope to gain an advantage in the line-out, which will be a far more tightly contested affair.
Australia will look to exploit England at the break-down. Their back-row will dominate England and the turn over’s by Pocock and running ability of Elsom will be a huge threat to Johnson’s team.
The talented Giteau will aim to bring his back line into play and Australia’s creative attacking style will cause problems for England’s defence, which was poor in the opening stages against the All Blacks.
The Test will be a close encounter and both teams will hope to improve on last week’s performances.
Australia are the form side and they will aim to gain revenge for last summer’s defeat, but they must gain some level of parity in the forward tussle. The Aussies are 4/6 favourites in this one.
Prediction: England 16 Australia 19
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