www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 5944372596 Quote THE bruised, battered and bloodied bodies in the Australian dressingroom of DW Stadium on a freezing Saturday afternoon in Wigan last October told the story. It had been a typical Test match against the Old Enemy. The Kangaroos had won 26-16. But amid the steam and celebratory beers, they were also seething. "Dog acts" and "cheap shots" were how England's tactics were being universally described - albeit privately. Back-rower Anthony Watmough could recall precious little about the match after copping a stray elbow in the head from England halfback Sam Tomkins. Paul Gallen suffered a neck injury. Both missed the following match against France. So bemused was coach Tim Sheens with the "garbage" his players had been forced to withstand, he told them before the final against England at Elland Rd in Leeds a fortnight later that they had a licence to "square up". Make no mistake: that level of venom is still alive and coursing through many of the Australians in the lead-up to Sunday's Four Nations match against the Old Enemy at AAMI Park in Melbourne. '" lets have it then...last time we had a proper ruck against you (in 2006) you lost

www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 5944372596 Quote THE bruised, battered and bloodied bodies in the Australian dressingroom of DW Stadium on a freezing Saturday afternoon in Wigan last October told the story. It had been a typical Test match against the Old Enemy. The Kangaroos had won 26-16. But amid the steam and celebratory beers, they were also seething. "Dog acts" and "cheap shots" were how England's tactics were being universally described - albeit privately. Back-rower Anthony Watmough could recall precious little about the match after copping a stray elbow in the head from England halfback Sam Tomkins. Paul Gallen suffered a neck injury. Both missed the following match against France. So bemused was coach Tim Sheens with the "garbage" his players had been forced to withstand, he told them before the final against England at Elland Rd in Leeds a fortnight later that they had a licence to "square up". Make no mistake: that level of venom is still alive and coursing through many of the Australians in the lead-up to Sunday's Four Nations match against the Old Enemy at AAMI Park in Melbourne. '" lets have it then...last time we had a proper ruck against you (in 2006) you lost

I feel sorry for Gallen I really do, I mean our cheap shot tactics really kill his fluid style of play and stop him showing all his skill and pace... Bloody hypocrite! This may finally spark the fire in the English players bellies! With no Peacock & Morley whose in first? Time for Fieldens retribution?

Get Carvell in, get the soft Aussies roughed up, the last Kangaroo to flatten an Englishman was Tongan anyhow. Hammer Slater and don't give Cam Smith any room.

Worse English teams have beaten better Kangaroo teams than these in the past.

Is Barry Mc commentating from the touchline?

Only problem with that is the three tries they score through his flapping defence after he's had a cuddle with one of their props.

Good to see them bigging it up to be honest. BUT we simply aren't up to backing any of it up though.

"They're a big, scary team"

I've never heard such blatant lies!

But I suppose it's better than saying, "They're pants, the game will be over after 10 minutes once we've scored our second try".

as usual australia will win the game comfortably when the english will resort to their usual cheap shot tactics.

I feel sorry for the Aussies - what with 'big' Sam Tomkins knocking their back rowers around

That's a new one. Can't fault you on originality.

But I agree, i'm amped for this game. Bring it on.

i'll use any angle...

He is quite scary to be fair. He has that gypsy style to him. Speaks a strange scrawl and reminds me of an ugly version of Brad Pitt from Snatch.

Is he available for the pre match speech?

Could never understand when we had that big ugly pack with Barry Mc, Peacock, Fielden as was, Farrell, Morley etc we didnt start off with a good ruck.
The pack we will be turning out are more lovers so my much wished for first scrum all in doesnt appeal too much without Morley and Peacock

A very good read that.

I do think that we need to get under there skin early. One thing we can't allow is to be blown away within the first 15 minutes. First scrum, first tackle, whatever you want, get in there and give them a good pasting!

Reilly definitely knew how to use Ward. As in the 1990 series: his impetus off the bench was tremendous.

Earlier, in addition to his great British performances usually in the starting line-up, he was a big part of that Manly premiership win in 1987. Between he and Lyons, Canberra were a wreck.

As for this Test, if Australia are complacent, and England can put together an 80 minute effort, Australia are as vulnerable as they have been in the last 25 years.

They are biggish ifs but an upset would not surprise. I remember how 1992 was a big shock to Australians and something very similar in terms of atmosphere - away from the heartlands of the Australian game - awaits.

England are a confidence side (especially against Australia) and I agree they must start well or the game will slip away quickly.

OR it could be 18 nil after 15 minutes. Which do you think is more likely?

You missed the last sentence that answers that...

Watch the opening exchanges of the PNG v Aus game...the Kumuls and their part time players were driving the Aussies back in the tackle over and over again.

Start the game with some fire, get them rocking backwards - something totally lacking in our game v the Kiwis.

It wasn't there when I replied. You sneaky dog.

Nothing sneaky about it.

Just forgot before I hit the submit key.





My thoughts on this are entirely consistent (unfortunately). For the English it is largely a mental issue. Early pieces of luck or decisions in favour of the Australians have, over the last 15 years at least, proved disastrous in big matches.

i think you 2 should just have a fight!!

Give it a rest Walter. The worst cheap shot in that game in Wigan was Paul Gallen taking Sam Tomkins late with a forearm.

Don't you just love England-Australia contests? You can always rely on the Roos to whine before the game - it's either supposed "cheap shots" or the fact that one of their bouffant-sporting clowns isn't refereeing. Since they have their wish this time round (Tony Clown reffing) we can kiss goodbye to anything other than a 40-point thrashing from the Roos.

What I most want to see is for the media knockers in Australia to choke on their cornflakes when the English turn in a good performance, in Australia, in a match that really counts.

Hopefully that will be this weekend.