As England prepare to host Australia on Saturday in the QBE International, we look back at some of the classic moments between these two fierce rivals.
Josh Lewsey tackle on Mat Rogers in 2003
In the same game, Australia had just got back into the game through a magical Wendell Sailor try. They were still on attack with three minutes to go when Josh Lewsey cut poor Matt Rogers in half with a wonderful tackle. Five minutes earlier Rogers and Lewsey had been sparring partners in a little spat that could have got out of hand. However both showed tremendous discipline not to carry it further. Lewsey, though, had not forgotten and chose to end the conversation with a legal rib tickler.
2003 World Cup final
The 2003 World Cup final was arguably the most exciting final we have had. Australia touted out the usual snide remarks - 'Boring old England' and 'Dad's Army' - but England's victory was built on good old fashioned forward dominance and a fantastic kicking game. Australia started well through a Lote Tuqiri try in the sixth minute but England hit back just before half-time through a fantastic Jason Robinson try. England had their chances to pull away - Ben Kay knocked on with the line begging - and Australia certainly played their part in building up the tension. Elton Flatley levelled the scores in the 80th minute to take the game to extra time. Wilkinson and Flately exchanged penalties while Jason Leonard needs a mention for coming on and settling the England scrum after their dominance seemed to be getting on the bad side of referee Andre Watson. Then with time running out Jonny Wilkinson stepped up and slotted THAT drop goal. Has there been a sweeter moment in England's rugby history?
England pack demolish Australia's scrum
In November 2005 England put together a scrum master-class to totally dominate their Wallaby counterparts and set up a 26-16 win at Twickenham and regain the Cook Cup. Aussie tight-head prop Al Baxter suffered a torrid afternoon at Twickenham as England's Andrew Sheridan totally dominated him - so much in fact that he was sent to the sin bin after yet another scrum collapsed. The last ten minutes saw the game reduced to uncontested scrums as prop Matt Dunning succumbed to the pressure and was stretchered off.
Chris Ashtons try
In 2010 England were 19-6 up in the early stages of the second half at Twickenham when Australia went on the attack. After spurning an easy three points in front of the posts, Australia backed their players for the try and started to put some phases together. Will Genia went for the line but was stopped inches short by England lock Tom Palmer who, along with Toby Flood and mike Tindall, managed to steal the ball for England. Ben Youngs decided to run from behind his own posts and passed to Courtney Lawes who then fed Ashton. There was no stopping him; Drew Mitchell desperately tried to head Ashton off but he cut inside him raced for the posts and dived over - the Ash Splash was born...
Nick Cummins try
Australia arrived at Twickenham in 2012 in disarray. A week earlier they had been beaten 33-6 by France - the first time they had lost to France in seven years. A massive injury list compounded their problems as they arrived in West London defending their coach and selection. However they ran onto the field a different side and dominated the early exchanges. A wayward kick from England's scrum-half Danny Care gave Australia the perfect attacking opportunity and scrum-half Nick Phipps found some space to make it count. His well-timed pass found winger Nick Cummins- aka the Honey Badger - who pinned his ears back and went over in the corner for his first international try.
Watch England take on Australia this Saturday. Coverage starts on Sky 3D and Sky Sports 2 HD from 1:30pm.
