Rugby World Cup: England need pack leader to beat Australia – Matt Dawson column

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I think England coach Eddie Jones decision to proceed Owen Farrell into fly-half to get Saturdays quarter-final from Australia is the one that is perfect.
In fact, provided that Henry Slade was inserted to replace him at the centres, I think it was inevitable.
Im because he has played very well in Japan, for George Ford, who has started every game of the World Cup in 10 – but maybe his form in the matches has counted against him.
In the handful of pressure games at global level in his profession hes maybe slightly wobbled.
It may be a bit harsh on him because hes farther down on the line and more convinced today. But certainly in the past when hes played knock-out matches with big decisions, I wouldnt have necessarily said hed be my first pick.
Farrell, with Slade and Manu Tuilagi outside him was a good combination throughout the Six Nations.
It is a combination that the resistance struggled to find any change out of in defence, and which was quite threatening.
It shuts down a great deal of alternatives for the resistance in terms of where they can attack since Farrell is so solid there – they have to come up with something different.
But there is going to be a question mark over Slade, who has not played over 40 minutes of rugby. Will he be eloquent enough?
Certainly through the Six Nations he was on a Small run. He looked dangerous . He ran great supporting lines, demonstrated great skill and toes – kicking as well as running.
He read – therefore I like that mix.
Australia are likely to come out with something which England wont expect and havent seen before.
Its a huge shout putting Jordan Petaia, that only has two caps, also in at centre. But it is his position – rather than the wing, by which he has won his caps – therefore it is not like they are completely throwing him in at the deep end.
Englands focus is going to be on Petaia, which means its possible to guarantee that Australia are considering going someplace else and playing in a different way so that England will need to update their own defence.
They are a bunch that is smart and England have to be concerning what Australia will bring.
The 1 surprise for me in the choice for Saturday of Australia is Will Genia playing nine, because I dont think hes been on good form. I believe Nic White has been solid as a starter and Genia has come on when the match is open.
If I had been in that England aspect Id be thinking, there. They will need to attempt to place pressure on the ruck so that Genia gets ball and also becomes a bit indecisive. I think that scrum-half selection will be embraced by England.
Moreover, fly-half Christian Lealiifano and Genia have just started together once earlier. In contrast to Ben Youngs and Farrell, is a huge difference there.
From the rear, Australia will should guarantee that the adventure of David Pocock and captain Michael Hooper provides them an edge over England flankers Sam Underhill along with Tom Curry.
But it could just ignite Underhill and Curry to be the stars of this World Cup. Should they get it right from Pocock and Hooper, who are up there as the best on earth as a venture, the England boys are going to place their name in lights.
Pocock and Hooper will probably know that their reputation is up for grabs along with this sport is going to acquire all their attention and then a few.
In every one these quarter-finals you are likely to get every last ounce of effort and expertise – what is going to be thrown out there. Nothing will be left to chance.
Nothing else matters, Whenever youve built up for it for four years. There are no warm-up games, there is no eligibility from the pool. That is it. This is why they sacrificed themselves, why they have been playing as long as they own and exactly everything they dreamt of from when they were in college.
Youve got Pocock and Hooper that have been around the block, played big games, but never won a World Cup. It will be their final chance.
Then youve gotten the young pretenders coming who were probably motivated by Pocock and Hooper and want to shoot their own mantle.
The issue hanging around Englands performances has ever been, can they win the game if they are supporting with 20 minutes to move?
Obviously, I would like England not to maintain that position. However, it may come to the leadership within the team. Youve Farrell as captain, but whos the pack leader? It is not simple to say. If you inquire eight individuals they would probably name eight distinct players.
If it comes to pressure moments, 1 voice at the forward must make things happen.
There are loads of players with more or 50 caps. They should be, by today, good enough at making those choices.
It is whether they do it in a quarter-final of this World Cup when there is no tomorrow, no debrief. It is triumph and move on or go home.
Matt Dawson was talking to BBC Sports Becky Grey.
A World Cup quarter-final against Australia is time to get the Eddie Jones project to send, says former England scrum-half Matt Dawson.
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