Aussies anticipate England test
Wilkinson's kicking prowess could be crucial in a quarter-final clash
Monday, 24, Sep 2007 09:28
Australia coach John Connolly has revealed that his side are gearing up for a quarter-final meeting with England despite the defending world champions' potentially-perilous final group game.
England must defeat a Tongan side who came within five points of beating South Africa at the weekend to be sure of progressing from pool A and claiming their place in the last eight.
But despite the uncertainty Connolly is instructing his charges to prepare for a meeting with Brian Ashton's men.
"I think England will get away with it. They'll win 90 per cent of their lineouts, their scrum is good and Jonny Wilkinson will get them around the field," he said.
"They've got a lot of pace out wide so they're a team that will provide any side with some threats.
"When you spend a bit of time in England you know what they're capable of. They're dangerous, there's a lot of pace out there."
The Wallabies were overturned by a long-range England drop-goal in the quarter-finals in the 1995 tournament as well as famously by Wilkinson's boot in the 2003 final and Connolly is determined his side are ready to exact revenge in similar fashion.
When Saturday's 55-12 win over Fiji became inevitable fly-half Berrick Barnes took the opportunity to successfully test his drop goal technique.
"All teams are paying attention to it. They've played a role in the past and I think with Wilkinson there obviously they play a big part with England," Connolly said.