06.10.2007

ENGLAND POWER AHEAD

AUSTRALIA KNOCKED OUT OF THE WORLD CUP

 

England 12, Australia 10 in Marseille (World Cup, Quarter-finals)

England won by 2 points. I predicted Australia by 10

 

Reviews

England outplayed a surprisingly lethargic-looking Australian team to earn a semi-final place in the Rugby World Cup finals tournament. England dominated through their forward pack. Although outscoring England by 1 try to nil, Australia saw Jonny Wilkinson kick 4 penalty goals and had to watch as their kickers had an off day. Australia pack their bags for home whilst England’s dream of retaining the Webb Ellis Cup remains alive.

http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/RFUHome.News_Detail/StoryID/17862

http://worldcup.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,21043,13175_2783874,00.html

http://www.rugby.com.au/default.aspx?s=news-display&id=2885

http://sport.independent.co.uk/rugby_union/world_cup_news/article3035977.ece

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7030422.stm

 

Previews

This match is a replay of the 2003 final in which Jonny Wilkinson slotted a last moment drop goal to clinch the trophy for England. The war of words has raged all week between these two teams and it looks like war. This should be a no holds barred match in which the victor will face either New Zealand or France in a semi-final. If this match is to be as bruising as it could be either team may well cancel themselves out by the toll it could take.

http://worldcup.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,21043,13175_2780734,00.html

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Australia 2nd, England 10th

 

Last Five Encounters

17.06.2006 Australia 43-18 in Melbourne (Cook Cup)

11.06.2007 Australia 34-3 in Sydney (Cook Cup)

12.11.2005 England 26-16 at Twickenham (Cook Cup)

27.11.2004 Australia 21-19 at Twickenham (Cook Cup)

26.06.2004 Australia 51-15 in Brisbane (Cook Cup)

If you exclude England’s woeful performances when they send under strength teams down under and look at matches at Twickenham odds look even

 

Prediction: Australia by 10 points

 

Teams

 

England

15.  Jason Robinson (Unattached)

14.  Paul Sackey (London Wasps)

13.  Mathew Tait (Newcastle Falcons)

12.  Mike Catt (London Irish)

11.  Josh Lewsey (London Wasps)

10.  Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons)

9.  Andy Gomarsall (Harlequins)

 

1.  Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks)

2.  Mark Regan (Bristol Rugby)

3.  Phil Vickery (London Wasps, captain)

4.  Simon Shaw (London Wasps)

5.  Ben Kay (Leicester Tigers)

6.  Martin Corry (Leicester Tigers)

7.  Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers) *

8.  Nick Easter (Harlequins)

 

Replacements

16.  George Chuter (Leicester Tigers)

17.  Matt Stevens (Bath Rugby)

18.  Lawrence Dallaglio (London Wasps)

19.  Joe Worsley (London Wasps)

20.  Peter Richards (London Irish)

21.  Toby Flood (Newcastle Falcons)

22.  Danny Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers)

 

Lewis Moody will be winning his 50th cap

Coach: Brian Ashton

 

http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/RFUHome.News_Detail/StoryID/17835

 

Australia

15 Chris Latham, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Stirling Mortlock (c), 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 George Gregan, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Daniel Vickerman, 4 Nathan Sharpe, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Matt Dunning.

Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Al Baxter, 18 Hugh McMeniman, 19 Stephen Hoiles, 20 Phil Waugh, 21 Julian Huxley, 22 Drew Mitchell.

Coach: John Connolly