After Australian hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau said the Australian front row was hoping to assert itself and “dominate the English scrum” after they were mauled by the French last weekend, England prop Dan Cole revealed a similar plan for his own pack.
“Any time you go into a test match or any game of rugby, you want that forward dominance,” Cole told Associated Press.
“They’ve already mentioned they’ll be looking to dominate us, so bring it on.
“Australia are reeling after getting beaten by France in the set-piece so they’ll come out firing.”
The Wallabies forwards were smashed by the French in the 33-6 loss loss at the Stade de France – so dominant were the French the referee punished the Aussies with the ultimate insult in the second half, a penalty try from a scrum.
Back in the starting line-up after injury, marauding Aussie wing/centre Digby Ioane took a different tack in the pre-match mental disintegration.
“The England wingers are pretty, really good-looking,” he joked. “I just can’t wait to go against them.”
England play Australia Saturday, November 17, kick-off 2.30pm.
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