Wallabies v England: Stephen Moore would chase a try over penalty like Chris Robshaw

STEPHEN Moore won’t hesitate to chase a try over a penalty ​when Wallabies’ face England — despite rival skipper Chris Robshaw copping it for such a call.

Australia's hooker and captain Stephen Moore attends a press conference in Bath, south west England on September 21, 2015 ahead of their opening Rugby World Cup 2015 match against Fiji on Wednesday. AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BUREAU RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

WITH the unwavering support of coach Michael Cheika, Stephen Moore says he won’t hesitate to chase a try over a penalty ​in the Wallabies’ clash with England ​if required ​on Sunday — despite the hammering rival skipper Chris Robshaw is copping for such a call.

Robshaw’s decision to ignore a game tying penalty goal in favour of a try in the 77th minute backfired when the Welsh repelled the raid and went onto to win by three points.

The captain’s call was slammed by the English media and an array of experts in London for the World Cup, and so too coach Stuart Lancaster distancing himself from the decision post-match.

Moore said he felt sympathy for Robshaw, having made the same call in Brisbane in July that saw the Wallabies beat South Africa after the bell.

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“As a captain you make that call when you see it and you do what you think is best to win the game,” Moore said.

“Every captain would do that in that situation. Whether it comes off or not — there’s all sorts of things involved in that. But you make a call and you go for it.”

England captain Chris Robshaw has taken flak over his controversial call.

Moore said self-doubt was always present when making a game-defining decision but he had huge confidence to trust his instinct by Cheika.

“No matter how much you say you don’t (feel doubt), there’s always different options when you get in that position,” Moore said.

“Cheik has been great in terms of telling me “mate, just back yourself in those situations”. That gives me a lot of confidence. there’s no wrong option there. You just have a go. As long as everyone gets in there and does their best on that particular call, then you give yourself a chance.”

The Wallabies have been desperate to avoid handing England any motivational material with their comments in the media, and Cheika ducked and weaved like a title fighter in his press conference yesterday.

Asked whether Australia would have done the same thing as Robshaw, Cheika said: “I don’t know. Game day’s my day off. So I just cruise in. The coaches have done their bit and it’s the players who are running the show by then.

“I know what you want to get out of that answer but I don’t really have an opinion to be honest. It has no effect on this game for us.”

Moore said the Wallabies were more than aware of the desperation of the English players, who have their backs to the wall. If they lose, their tournament is over.

Asked if the Wallabies might not be at the same intensity given they’ll have another chance to stay alive a week later against Wales, Moore said: “If that’s the case then it certainly shouldn’t be.”

“We know we have to win this weekend. That’s been our focus — to win all our games through the pool stages,” he said.

“This game is no different. We want to play really well and go out there and give ourselves the best chance. We knew, no matter what situation the opposition is in, that this game was going to be a really tough game.

“That’s all we can do. There’s not too much benefit from looking at the peripheral stuff or what pressure any opposition are under. That’s not something that’s going to help us on the weekend.”

Originally published as Wallabies v England: Stephen Moore would chase a try over penalty like Chris Robshaw