Rugby World Cup: England v Wallabies, Poms plan to open old mental scars
ENGLAND’S forwards plan to reawaken some doubts and demons within the Wallabies pack with their dominant scrum and physical style.
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​THE England forward who helped himself to two tries off the back of a crumbling Wallaby scrum last year at Twickenham says England can reawaken those “demons” and “doubts” on Sunday morning.
The warning from Ben Morgan came as the England no. 8 also declared that the hosts would be out to bash Australia’s dangerous open side pair David Pocock and Michael Hooper to nullify their breakdown threat.
Morgan scored twice in November against the Wallabies from the back of a powerful England scrum, which humbled Australia’s eight time and again. England won the match.
The Wallabies have sought to make improvements in the scrum and under new set-piece coach Mario Ledesma have not been clearly bested all winter.
Morgan acknowledged Australia had improved since their last clash but believes the side still carries mental scars that can be exposed with a return to Twickenham.
“It is such a confrontational part of the game, particularly scrum-time, it’s like an all-eight battle, and when you are on the wrong end of it, they’ll definitely have some doubts in their mind,” Morgan told reporters.
Asked if the first scrum was crucial, Morgan said:” “Yes, obviously you want to go in there strong, put a statement down early, and allow those demons to grow.”
England’s scrum hasn’t been a point of strength this year but Morgan believes their performance against Wales last weekend would have Australia worried.
“They have certainly improved. But we are confident going into it,” he said.
“Our set-piece in particular was good and I believe Australia will definitely be concerned after reviewing our game against Wales.
“We knew we needed to tighten up in a few areas, which we did, and also it’s about your attitude. You have to do things well, and I believe we did.”
Morgan also indicated the English plan a ferocious response to the threat of Pocock and Hooper on the ball.
England don’t play a fetcher in their backrow but instead have all big bodies for maximum physicality.
“Pocock and Hooper are great over the ball, which definitely means we have to focus extra hard there and work harder at preventing them from being successful, trying to take away their strength I guess,” Morgan said.
“If we can nullify their ability to get over the ball it will change the way they have to play as well. They like to disrupt, slow people down. But if we can get quick ball, it will change the pattern.
”Iit’s got to be calculated (aggression) , but at the same time you’ve got to clear people out, and let them know you are clearing them out.
“You can’t go in tickling them, you have to go in there with some force.”
Originally published as Rugby World Cup: England v Wallabies, Poms plan to open old mental scars
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