Australia v England: Five talking points ahead of Sydney Test
By Emma Thurston
Last Updated: 25/06/16 11:48am
As England are going in search of their first ever series whitewash in Australia, we look at five talking points ahead of the final Test in Sydney…
England's Rugby World Cup Mentality
Ahead of this final Test Eddie Jones has set out a World Cup mentality that he's implored his side to have.
In the eyes of their head coach this Test represents the first opportunity to see their credentials at delivering the consistent standards required to go all the way during the knockout stages of a Rugby World Cup.
"We've treated this week like a dress rehearsal for the World Cup because that what we're always building towards," said Jones.
"To win a World Cup you have to win three big games in a row - we've won two so this third game is the most important game we'll play all year. It will be a good indication of where we are as a team."
This is another astute move by the Australian and one that allows him to test his players further and start to create a ruthless winning mentality.
Coupled with this the head coach has laid caution at his squad's doors and implored them not get caught up in the praise coming their way.
"We've got to be very careful that all the praise we're getting doesn't make us weak," said Jones
"If you become weak once, you can become weak twice and to be a champion team you can't be like that."
Both of these moves are further indications of the Australian's intelligent leadership and man management; he expects the very best from his players all of the time and nothing less will suffice.
Wallabies' playmaking duo
With Matt Toomua coming into Michael Cheika's starting XV the Australians, like England, will be adopting a strategy of having two playmakers on the field.
In the first two Tests fly-half Bernard Foley was operating under immense pressure as England were able to focus on closing down his time. In Sydney, Toomua should shoulder some of the decision making burden and provide a further viable point of attack.
The inside centre knows that his side need to restore their confidence in their structures as he highlighted on Australia's official website.
"They've definitely been a better team in both games," he said. "I think we still believe in our vision and the way we want to play. We've just got to be smart and work on our roles and work harder off the ball," said the inside centre.
"It's not a case of don't ever kick the ball, let's run from everywhere, but it's about being smart where we run and working off the ball so we can actually attack in different parts of the field."
Australia know they need have to pose more questions to England's defence if they are to be victorious and the aim of this dual threat will be to do just that.
Filling James Haskell's shoes
For a long time England's back row has been scrutinised to the nth degree, but in Australia Chris Robshaw, James Haskell and Billy Vunipola have handled everything that's been thrown at them and excelled.
With Haskell's foot injury the trio are being split and Teimana Harrison has the challenging task of filling the openside's very large shoes.
Harrison lacks the same level of experience that Haskell brings to a game and is perhaps less imposing than the Wasps captain. However, he's a young man with a point to prove. The Northampton Saint is a workhorse, he has a good engine on him and is a strong carrier around the field.
The standard set by Haskell in Brisbane was so high that it's perhaps unreasonable to think that the 23-year-old will achieve that on only his second start but he'll have a good go at aiming to do so.
Will Michael Cheika's words hit home?
Ahead of this tour much was made of the mind games and verbal jousting that might be traded between the two head coaches during the three-Test series. The duo know each other so well and the thinking was that both would come out all guns blazing from moment one.
In reality that didn't really happen and only now is Cheika laying a few choice words on the table as this week he has asked whether England will 'open up a bit more' in Sydney?
"Maybe now they've won the series they'll open up a bit more. Teams that I think are dull throw it around a little bit more because they've won the series. They'll be a bit freer I suppose," Cheika said.
"Eddie and me play different footy. We are not set up to play kick and chase footy. We play running rugby.
"All the teams that I've been involved with as a coach played lots of footy. When it doesn't work, you get hit on the counter. I believe that you stay at it and you overcome."
The question is will Cheika's words impact on England or will they think that it's a bit late for such a statement and continue their preparations without a second thought to them?
The importance of 3-0 for England
England have made history twice this series already; once for achieving their first victory Brisbane and once for taking the Test series victory. However the final piece of history, a series whitewash, is essential to their development.
Speaking on Sky Sports News HQ, Will Greenwood said a series whitewash would be an "extraordinary achievement" and one that would be a key element in continuing England's progression.
Greenwood highlighted that historically northern hemisphere sides haven't had the appropriate level of belief when facing the Southern Hemisphere giants. But, if England can gain three victories on the bounce then they'll start to lose any trepidation at facing Australia and will develop an impregnable belief.
Yes, the series is in the bag and the Cook Cup already has a seat on the plane home but if England are to gain all that they can from this Summer Tour then winning this final Test in Sydney is imperative.
England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jack Nowell, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 3 Dan Cole, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 Teimana Harrison, 8 Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Courtney Lawes, 21 Jack Clifford, 22 Danny Care, 23 Elliot Daly.
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps; 1 James Slipper, 2 Stephen Moore (c), 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Will Skelton, 5 Rob Simmons, 6 Scott Fardy, 7 Michael Hooper, 8 Sean McMahon.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Wycliff Palu, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Christian Lealiifano, 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro.
Watch the third Test between Australia and England live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 10.30am on Saturday. Catch the match for £6.99 with a NOW TV day pass.
