Category: England

England were simply outclassed by a superior Australian team. Australia capitalising on England’s many mistakes.

Wallaby winger Clyde Rathbone, a late replacement for Wendell Sailor who was injured during warmup, starred early in the game scoring three tries.

Australia - Tries: Clyde Rathbone (3), Jeremy Paul (2), Lote Tuqiri. Conversions: Joe Roff (3). Penalties: Roff (5).

England - Tries: Richard Hill, Lawrence Dallaglio. Conversion: Charlie Hodgson. Penalty: Hodgson.

Saturday night’s match one-off rugby test match between Australia and England is shaping up to be a great match. The Captain Cook Cup will be up for grabs, but perhaps more significantly the match is a replay of last years Rugby World Cup final.

Both teams have lost some players through injury. However the sides that take the field will be strong although Australia will be a slight favourite to win.

Prop Tim Payne will make his debut for England replacing Trevor Woodman who is out because of an injured shoulder. The only other change to England’s run-on side is Mike Catt replacing Stuart Abbott at outside centre. Abbott is also out because of an injured shoulder.

For Australia utility back Mark Gerrard is out after tearing his hamstring during training, only hours after being named in the team.

Australia at $1.35 is a the bookmakers clear favourite to win the match over England who are at odds of $3.15. Personally I feel the game will be a bit closer than those odds suggest.

Australia: Joe Roff, Wendell Sailor, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (captain), David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Radike Samo, Nathan Sharpe, Justin Harrison, Alastair Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Bill Young.

Reserves: Matt Dunning, Jeremy Paul, Daniel Vickerman, George Smith, Clyde Rathbone, Matt Henjak, Chris Latham

England: Josh Lewsey, Tom Voyce, Mike Catt, Mike Tindall, Ben Cohen, Charlie Hodgson, Andy Gomarsall, Lawrence Dallaglio (captain), Richard Hill, Joe Worsley, Steve Borthwick, Simon Shaw, Julian White, Mark Regan, Tim Payne.

Reserves: Steve Thompson, Will Green or Mike Worsley, Martin Corry, Michael Lipman, Matt Dawson, Fraser Waters, Olly Barkley.

Following on from Saturday night’s match between England and New Zealand, English players Danny Grewcock and Simon Shaw were both cited for foul play. On Sunday they both appeared in front of a International Rugby Board (IRB) judiciary.

Simon Shaw who was sent off for kneeing All Black Keith Robinson in the head was spared further punishment by way of a technicality. During the game Australian touch judge Stuart Dickinson called on the video ref to help identify Simon Shaw, however this goes against the protocol set down by the IRB on the use of video refs.

Danny Grewcock was cited by citing commissioner Dennis Wheelahan, who have reviewed the video spotted Grewcock stamping on the head of Daniel Carter. Grewcock pleaded not guilty to the charge, but was found guilty by the judiciary and suspended for 6 weeks.

The game started off with a much more aggressive English forward play. England start well putting lots of pressure on the All Black team and earning two penalty goals for their efforts. But perhaps a bit too aggressive as English lock Simon Shaw was sent after 10 minutes for kneeing All Black Keith Robinson in a ruck.

New Zealand weathered the English storm and struck back with a break from Joe Rokocoko who fed the ball to Dan Carter who scored in the corner. Giving the All Blacks a 10 to 6 lead over England going into half time.
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An interesting report has come out quoting Wasps coach and former Irish coach Warren Gatland as saying that English players are frustrated. He met up with some of the Wasps players who are in the England squad they told him they are not happy.

I don’t know how much you can read into it. Of course the players will be unhappy, they have just lost a game badly.