'They'll be a different animal': Wallabies have done their homework after deep dive on England

Dave Porecki reckons the Wallabies could play England next week, so impressively detailed was the squad’s three-day Gold Coast camp.

Problem is, they have to wait three months for Eddie Jones’ under-pressure squad, who have beaten Australia in their past eight Tests, to arrive.

The NSW Waratahs hooker knows not to get ahead of himself too, a calf injury derailing what seemed a certain Test debut on last year’s Spring Tour.

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 8

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 8

Back in Australia after six seasons in the English Premiership with Saracens and London Irish, the 29-year-old is firming again in a position that no man is yet to stamp his authority.

“I got pretty close and then my body broke down, so I’m a little bit more pessimistic this year and my mission is just to play very well for ten weeks,” he told AAP after the weekend’s Gold Coast camp.

“I know from personal experience over the years you can easily have your name taken off a list.”

With Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Tolu Latu in France and unlikely to be called in for July’s three-Test series and Jordan Uelese on the outer, Porecki is in a race with Folau Fainga’a, Feleti Kaitu’u and Lachlan Lonergan to wear the No.2.

His experience may help, Porecki used to bumping into English teammates and rivals in the streets of London before heading back to Daceyville in 2020.

“They’re such a proud nation and they’ll be coming here to attack,” he said of the 2019 World Cup finalists, who endured a 2-3 Six Nations campaign to heap pressure on their Australian coach Eddie Jones.

“They’ll be a different animal from Six Nations – I’ve played against most of them, know exactly what they’re like – their media is ruthless over there and they’ll definitely react.

“They’ll be coming to bash you as a forward, it’ll be a battle.”

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie suggested on Tuesday that England may introduce some new tricks on their Australian tour ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Porecki though hinted they had a good understanding of what lay ahead and had already begun their homework.

“Coming into this camp you see how organised, detailed it is to give us a taste of England with analysis on the scrum, lineout, their backrowers,” he said.

“It plants the seed and you almost felt like we could play next week, knowing what we’re up against and how we expose them.”

The hooker also left camp with a clear understanding of Rennie’s desire to employ a multi-skilled talent with a high work rate in his position.

“If you can nail your set piece that’s golden, but you must add elements to your game,” Porecki said.

“But I’ve always wanted to play that way anyway, not just throw line-outs and scrum.”