Im not sure id quite go along with that but every Australian high tackle, every bit of foul play needs the forwards in and about, pushing and shoving. If an ocker swings a punch, two or three swinging back at him straight away. If you are grabbed round the neck, he is punched in the head before has time to think. If they are laying on and slowing the tackle, throw them off, get in their face and get them worrying, get them thinking.

I've gone from thinking "oh sheite" from the first post, to thinking there's actually a chance if England go hell for leather. Get yourself doing the team talk pre match (along with Wacko from Mike Bassett, obviously).

That's not the strongest OZ line up I've seen. As another poster said,

Compare it to the other OZ teams, it's not as good IMHO

(Could still have the potential to post 50+) passed us though.



We're much stronger in the backs than 5 years ago. We had Welllens at fill back and Gardner and Smith on the wing.



This time we have Tomkins/Charnley/Hall.

We have a lot of speed and size in the pack. Trouble is can our half backs use them.

The biff is an ancient tactic now.

Don't like it up 'em? Do you not watch SOO? They seem to be able to handle themselves there.



Hard fast skillful rugby will win.

It's just always appeared to me that the times we've been at our best against the Aussies, when we've either won or given them a good game, our pack has stood up to them. And like Smokey says, don't take anything from them. Peacock standing up against Mason, Sculthorpe & Fitzgibbon, Morley's 12 seconds, Edwards sending off, McDermott and...well pretty much anyone. Also, whenever we start giving the Aussies a game they start niggling and getting aggressive. So let's be the aggressive ones first and don't let them settle.



If we lose from giving away too many penalties for hitting an Aussie then I don't mind. It's when we go down with a whimper that it annoys me.



I've no idea why punching an Aussie should be a penalty anyway. Ridiculous rule.

It should be actively encouraged IMHO.

You mean where each side usually resorts to biff to try and unsettle the opposition?



You can't play fast, skillful rugby at this level without battering them. If you hold off them and play nicely, nicely they'll walk over us. They're a better team. The better teams never lose if their pack is dominant.

Its test rugby league. A bit of Biff should be mandatory. Im not generally in favour of it but if you can’t hit a guy wearing a green and gold jersey in a rugby league test match then we have lost something beautiful.

+1

In a Nutshell.

History really does repeat itself. Same old opinions expressed immediately prior to an encounter against Australia. Australia aren't that good, average players, etc.



Where is Roughyedspud these days?





That Brent Tate is nothing special, neither is Joel Monaghan. Scott Prince? They are having a laugh, he really is crap! Anthony Laffranchi? LOL! Steve Price? You're kidding right? Josh Perry? Bwahahahahaha! England will beat that lot, England got best pack in the world you know, nothing to fear, etc.



[uResult[/u: Australia 52 England 4









Here's hoping for a close and competitive game on Saturday as it's the only opportunity to grab a win for the first time in 7 years.

The strength and weakness of the Aussies are the same thing really. They have a plan and stick to it, some call it relentless, some call it rigid.



If the Aussies go 6 nil down, they won't change anything. Just get back to the plan. And if they go ahead by 6 they will just keep at it.



To even get close to them, you have to defend smart. Get your numbers right on the edges and stop the pack rolling and getting on top.



I think we'll play a bit more ad lib in attack, mixing up the kicking game. But if we are to get close, or win, we must must must defend well. Especially on kick chase. Make Slate carry it back at us instead of handing it off to Boyd or Morris.



It's do-able, but we have to concentrate in defence and keep turning up.