George Gregan challenged England to disprove its critics and go all-out in a 15-a-side attacking encounter against his world champion Australians in today's rugby union international at Docklands Stadium.
England is ranked No. 1 in the world and is on a three-test winning roll against the Australians -- all at Twickenham -- but has never beaten the Wallabies in 12 previous tests in Australia.
A 15-13 win last weekend gave England its first win over the All Blacks in New Zealand in 30 years and extended its winning stretch to 12 tests, but its gameplan drew criticism because flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson kicked all the points.
PHOTO: AFP
All Blacks coach John Mitchell, desperate to make amends for the narrow loss in his season opener, made nine changes to the lineup to face the Welsh, who lost 30-10 to the Wallabies last weekend in Sydney.
In other southern hemisphere vs. northern hemisphere internationals, Argentina is aiming for a sweep against the French in Buenos Aires after last week's 10-6 win and Ireland travels to Samoa.
Ireland started its tour with a 45-16 loss to Australia in Perth before rebounding from 11-0 down against Tonga for a 40-19 win. The Samoans warmed up against Aussie Super 12 franchises, edging the Waratahs 48-41 and a one-point loss to the Reds.
Most interest will focus on Australia against England, with both lineups desperate for an edge ahead of the World Cup starting in October.
Wilkinson landed four penalties from five attempts in difficult conditions at Wellington and slotted a dropped goal while New Zealand, despite a two-man advantage for almost 10 minutes in the second half, only crossed once and Carlos Spencer missed four shots at goal.
England coach Clive Woodward and skipper Martin Johnson this week defended the forward-oriented and kicking tactics, saying it was prudent to play for percentages in windy conditions and rejecting the notion that their rugby revolves around a 10-man gameplan.
Under a closed roof at Docklands, conditions will suit running rugby and Wallabies skipper Gregan is expecting England to be up for it.
"We're fully aware [England] play probably the most expansive game in world rugby when the conditions are right," Gregan told reporters Friday. "You've got to play the conditions that are in front of you and what's going to make you win and [England] did that last week.
"With the roof closed, it's just pure rugby and the surface is fine," added Gregan. "It's going to open up to a good, exciting game and both sides will use the ball I'm sure."
While daring England to run the ball wide, Gregan was exposing his inexperienced midfield which contains uncompromising center Nathan Grey in the unfamiliar role of flyhalf and rookies Steve Kefu and Morgan Turinui at inside and outside center.
But that would also get Australia's backline strengths more involved, with fullback Chris Latham and winger Joe Roff interchangeable at the back and flyer Wendell Sailor finally finding his feet after switching from rugby league.
It would also move the bigger rival forwards around the field more than usual and contribute to greater fatigue at the set pieces, where the English have been dominant for at least a season.
Wallabies lock David Giffin said England's strength was in its powerful forward pack providing clean ball for Wilkinson to run the backline.
"That's where they've built their platform over the last couple of years. Up front, they've been very strong. They've got great depth right through their forward pack and we're expecting them to be tough," said Giffin.
The Australians need to hold their own in the scrums but should have an advantage in the lineouts after Nathan Sharpe was cleared to partner Giffin in the second row after recovering from a knee problem he picked up in training.
Australia has a 16-10 win in head-to-heads, with a 15-15 draw in 1998. In the last encounter last November, England grabbed a last-minute 32-31 win. The most recent matches in Australia went 76-0 in 1998 and 22-15 in 1999 in favor of the hosts.
Neither Gregan nor Giffin believed the Wallabies were under extra pressure to continue the unbeaten winning run at home against England.
"That's in the past. There's a real determination to play our best game of the year," Gregan said. "If we do that, the result will take care of itself."
"You don't want to lose any game," added Giffin. "If anything, they're probably under more pressure to break that," losing sequence.
Wales' losing run against the All Blacks stretches 50 years and doesn't look like ending at Hamilton.
But Wales coach Steve Hansen, a New Zealander, said his lineup would give the All Blacks a sterner test than most observers are expecting.
"One of the things that Welsh rugby has lacked is self-belief," Hansen said. "Our clubs have not had a lot of success but when you play against the best you come to the realization that they're not much better than you are."
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