A Wallabies side on the up and up take on an English outfit that has stagnated greatly over the past two years this Saturday at the Optus Stadium.
Australia v England
Saturday 2 July
Optus Stadium
11:55
To Win Match
Australia 49/100 | Draw 20/1 |England 7/4
Handicap
Australia (-4.5) 9/10 | England (+4.5) 9/10
Australia’s rugby revival is in full swing and there will be a lot of hope they can inflict a spot of revenge on the English who beat them at the last Rugby World Cup and also whitewashed the Wallabies when they last toured Australia back in 2016.
The Wallabies had a decent international season last year winning four of their six Rugby Championship games. They were slightly off the boil during their November trip to Europe, however, as they lost narrowly to Scotland and Wales while going down 32-15 to their opponents for this Saturday at Twickenham.
Dave Rennie’s men were missing a number of their big guns for that end-of-the-year tour. Two of those missing big guns have returned for this weekend with Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevei being named in the starting XV.
Rennie has made some surprise selections as well with Caderyn Neville being handed his debut at the age of 33. The giant lock will be tasked with disrupting the English lineout this weekend. He will be joined in his lineout dominance quest by fellow debutant David Porecki, who starts at hooker.
While the Wallabies have improved greatly over the past 24 months, the English have started to slide. They had a poor Six Nations campaign only managing two wins for their five matches and Eddie Jones’ team selection has come under fire in recent months.
The English are likely to go with the tried and tested in the backline with Owen Farell likely to continue in the 12 jersey with Marcus Smith getting another game under his belt at ten. Should Jones opt for this combination then they could well be the two players that win or lose the game for England.
Verdict: Australia (-4.5) 9/10
The Wallabies have been on a horrendous losing streak to the English but I reckon they will end that this weekend. Back Rennie’s Wallabies to get the job done here.
