SM
Liverpool vs. Wolves: 1 hr 25 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
friendly | International Rugby Union
Jun 11, 2016 at 11am UK
 
Australia
28-39
England
Hooper (9', 58'), Folau (15'), Kuridrani (70')
FT
Joseph (32'), Yarde (45'), Nowell (79')

Mako Vunipola wary of Australia scrum

:Headline: Mako Vunipola wary of Australia scrum: ID:274413: from db_amp
England prop Mako Vunipola admits that he is wary of Australia's scrum ahead of the first Test of their summer tour Down Under.

England prop Mako Vunipola has admitted that he is wary of Australia's scrum ahead of the first Test of their summer tour this weekend.

The Red Rose were expected to come out on top in the scrum against the Wallabies when the two sides met at the World Cup last year, but instead it was Michael Cheika's side who dominated that area of the game on their way to a record victory at Twickenham.

Vunipola revealed that the "hiding" they received is still fresh in their minds, but insists that revenge will not be on the agenda as Eddie Jones faces his home country.

"They gave us a good hiding in that department during the World Cup and we know that. We came out of that game thinking that we had thought too much of ourselves more than anything. We were very confident going into the World Cup as a pack, but the biggest lesson we took was that on any day anything can happen. We go into this weekend knowing that too," he told reporters.

"We're going into this Test match knowing we face a massive challenge as a front row and as an eight. This series has nothing to do with revenge, but as front rowers we have pride and want to move on. We have a clean slate to go out there and put a better foot forward. There is no thought of revenge or righting wrongs of the World Cup and although it's hard to forget, it has got to go to the back of our minds.

"Australia use their scrum as a weapon now, not just to get ball out to their backline which has been their traditional strength. Now they're using their forward pack to dominate, whether that's through the scrum or the maul. They've become one of the best packs in the world and they've got some great coaches around them. Cheika's been in Europe and had a lot of experience there. He's learnt from that and now he has taken that down to the southern hemisphere, they've become a dangerous team all over the park."

Saturday's match will take place at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, where England have never before beaten Australia.

amp_article__274413 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2016-06-09 07:20:26:
html db last update - 2016-06-09 07:20:26 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Mako Vunipola

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool24176158233557
2Arsenal25158251222953
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest25145641291247
4Manchester CityMan City25135752351744
5Bournemouth25127644291543
6Chelsea25127647341343
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2512584233941
8Fulham2510963833539
9Aston Villa2510873538-338
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2591063838037
11Brentford25104114342134
12Crystal Palace257992932-330
13Everton257992731-430
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd2485112834-629
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs24831348371127
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2576122947-1827
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Ipswich TownIpswich2538142350-2717
19Leicester CityLeicester2545162555-3017
20Southampton2523201957-389
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .