Rugby World Cup 2015: George Gregan confident Wallabies can defy English scrummaging machine

THERE are many in rugby who believe a superior English scrum and goalkicker will bulldoze Australian rugby’s World Cup hopes. George Gregan is not one of them.

RUGBY great George Gregan is a true believer. He believes the Wallabies will conquer England and march into the sudden-death action of this year’s Rugby World Cup in October.

Gregan’s confidence that there may still be something to smile about in a huge Australia-England contest this year is much needed on one of the darkest days for any Aussie who holds dear the most traditional of sporting rivalries.

“I’m a believer...even of this Australian cricket team in the second innings,” Gregan offered in blind faith with the shock of the all-out-for-60 capitulation at Trent Bridge still raw.

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There are many in rugby, English rugby at least, who believe a superior English scrum and goalkicker will bulldoze Australian rugby’s high hopes on October 4 at Twickenham as decisively as paceman Stuart Broad decimated our much-touted Ashes team.

Gregan is not one of them. He fancies England or Wales will meet an ignominious end in the Pool of Death, not the Wallabies who can show what they are made of big time against the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

Everything about Friday’s official launch of Fox Sports’ bumper coverage of the Rugby World Cup bristled with confidence that there would be a Wallabies side to cover in the sudden-death stages of the showpiece tournament.

Fox Sports are throwing their heavy artillery at it.

There will be a dedicated 24/7 Rugby World Cup channel in operation from September 14 to show all 48 matches live, ad-free and in HD.

Nick McArdle will be one of the hosts for the Rugby World Cup.

There will also be extensive pre and post-match coverage, three rugby entertainment shows (World Cup Weekly, Rugby HQ and the Cup Runneth Over to capture the wacky, colourful and inspirational off-field vibe) and a Rugby Legends series.

John Eales, Tim Horan, Phil Kearns, Rod Kafer, Greg Martin and Gregan offer a combined 393 Wallabies Tests and the insight of eight World Cup campaigns as part of the commentary team beside respected voices Greg Clark and Nick McArdle.

“The All Blacks are definitely the team to beat at the World Cup when they’ve been winning at over 90 per cent since their 2011 victory,” 1999 World Cup-winner Gregan said.

“The Wallabies will be dangerous and match-hardened if they can come through their pool and I believe they will.

“I was at Twickenham last year when England outscrummed Australia for the final 20-30 minutes (in a 26-17 win) but the Wallabies did so much great work in attack.

George Gregan is confident Australia’s scrum can rise to the occasion.

“I just feel there is a lot more improvement in the Wallabies than the England team over the 12 months to the World Cup.”

Horan predicted the Wallabies would topple Wales on October 11 in the decisive pool game and reach the semi-finals.

“Hooker Stephen Moore staying fit is probably the most important part of Australia’s World Cup because of the experience he gives the front-row and the forward pack scrummaging-wise for those big pool matches against England and Wales,” Horan said.

“I think the Wallabies have some really good momentum. I’m really confident of them beating Wales and potentially they can beat England as well at Twickenham.”

Fox Sports chief executive Patrick Delany said the “BELIEVE...Never Underestimate an Aussie” sting to the broadcaster’s on-air promotion of the Wallabies’ World Cup quest was spot on.

“We are throwing everything at the Rugby World Cup to be the home to rugby’s showpiece event when our dedicated channel switches on from September 14,” Delany said.

Fox Sports are urging fans to get behind the Wallabies in a novel way on the field at ANZ Stadium on Saturday with an attempt to break England’s record for the World’s Largest Scrum.

Gregan may well feed the scrum.

Even one more body above the 1008 who set the record at Twickenham last year will grab the record for Australia.

The world record attempt will take place between 4-5.30pm. For more information and registration follow the link on the Fox Sports website.