BORTHWICK: FORGET WORLD CUP QUARTER-FINAL
Steve Borthwick won his first game as England captain last weekend against the Pacific Islanders, but he knows that Saturday's Test against Australia will be a tougher challenge for Martin Johnson’s new-look team.
Five new caps were handed out in the 39-13 win but the Saracens lock warned supporters not to compare Robbie Deans’s Australia team to the one defeated 12-10 by England in the World Cup quarter-final in southern France.
“What happened in Marseille is irrelevant and history,” said the 28-year-old, who was part of the pack who scrummaged the gold and greens off the park last October. “Australia have improved immeasurably. In winning away against South Africa and beating New Zealand they have shown that they will be a very tough pack for us to play against.
“They have had a good amount of time to develop which is something at this point that we haven’t had. It will be a big challenge and it is one that everyone is looking forward to. Australia are one of the best teams in the world and we are going have to play at our best if we are going to win.
“Last week was a very good start for us but we want to progress. We are going to go out there and give it absolutely everything we have got.”
Steve Borthwick won his first game as England captain last weekend against the Pacific Islanders, but he knows that Saturday's Test against Australia will be a tougher challenge for Martin Johnson’s new-look team.
Five new caps were handed out in the 39-13 win but the Saracens lock warned supporters not to compare Robbie Deans’s Australia team to the one defeated 12-10 by England in the World Cup quarter-final in southern France.
“What happened in Marseille is irrelevant and history,” said the 28-year-old, who was part of the pack who scrummaged the gold and greens off the park last October. “Australia have improved immeasurably. In winning away against South Africa and beating New Zealand they have shown that they will be a very tough pack for us to play against.
“They have had a good amount of time to develop which is something at this point that we haven’t had. It will be a big challenge and it is one that everyone is looking forward to. Australia are one of the best teams in the world and we are going have to play at our best if we are going to win.
“Last week was a very good start for us but we want to progress. We are going to go out there and give it absolutely everything we have got.”
Labels: Australia, England, Martin Johnson, Rugby Football Union, Steve Borthwick
