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Renowned rugby guru says England 'need huge improvement' to beat Wallabies
By Kim Ekin
Renowned rugby thinker Laurie Fisher believes England will have to improve massively if they are to beat the Wallabies at the Suncorp in Brisbane on Saturday.
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A 14-man Wallabies side roared back in the second half to claim a rousing 30-28 victory in the first Test in Perth.
Despite a numerical disadvantage, it was a game in which the Wallabies were the dominant force on the deck with skipper Michael Hooper proving a huge problem for Eddie Jones’ men.
Brumbies guru Fisher – often credited as one of the sport’s brightest thinkers – believes that England’s sloppiness at the breakdown cost them and they need huge improvement on this area if they are to win and save the series.
“Thought England Rugby’s attention to detail around primary support, groundwork and clean out was lacklustre at best. Will need huge improvement to beat the Wallabies,” wrote the former Munster coach.
Thought @EnglandRugby attention to detail around primary support, groundwork and clean out was lacklustre at best. Will need huge improvement to beat @wallabies @SuncorpStadium
— Laurie Fisher (@LordLaurie58) July 8, 2022
It’s a view which was echoed by Sam Underhill, who replaces the injured Tom Curry in the starting XV this week.
“We controlled areas of the game pretty well for a decent chunk of the game but ultimately penalties and discipline cost us,” Underhill said. “Whether the breakdown was more competitive than we thought it would be or not, we didn’t adapt to the interpretation at the breakdown.
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“Hooper is obviously a big breakdown threat. It’s not a case of man-marking him but as a team you are acutely aware that if he’s around the breakdown it’s highly likely he’ll be competing. You have to shift him early because he’s good over the ball.”
The second rugby Test has been spiced up by the return of new father Taniela Tupou from injury to face seasoned prop Ellis Genge.
Jordan Petaia’s move to fullback for the first time in Wallabies gold, thanks to injuries to Tom Banks and Andrew Kellaway, will also be closely watched ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Both men bring game-changing ability but after a 30-28 win in Perth snapped an eight-game losing streak against the English they are just sub-plots to Hooper’s wishes on Saturday night.
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“It’s confirmation we’re on the right track, some of the things we’re putting in place are working,” he said of their win in Perth that came despite a first-half red card to Darcy Swain.
“We are doing some really good things, but saw last week there’s plenty of examples to get better.”
“It’d be pleasing (to go up 2-0). We’ve ta lked about where we want to go and within that is starting to win games consistently.
“It’d be a step towards that, but it’s something we can talk about at a later date.”
Perhaps the only place the Wallabies have found consistency in recent history has been Suncorp Stadium, where they’ve won 10 straight Tests since England beat them in 2016.
Hooper has great seats to watch Tupou clash with Genge, while he expects Petaia, the 22-year-old who has played across the backline but never in the No.15, to flourish.
“That’s been the big one, getting his body right so he can put back-to-back performances together,” Hooper said.
“Physically he’s outstanding … quite a rangy mover which makes him difficult to tackle, a turn of pace and all the tricks in the tool kit as well.
“He’s a complete package. One of the best things is getting time on the paddock so with that he’ll go strength to strength.”
Petaia’s Queensland Reds teammate Hunter Pai sami will return to the side for the injured Len Ikit au at outside centre, forming a powerful combination with former Reds captain Samu Kerevi.
Matt Philip will come in for the suspended Swain too, but Hooper said the mix-and-match nature of their training in the build-up to Perth meant the bulk changes weren’t a factor.
additional reporting AAP
