England will be tougher than Irish, says Aussie boss Deans

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans believes tomorrow’s Twickenham showdown with England will be the toughest assignment of their autumn tour — even tougher than their clash with grand slam champions Ireland.

The Wallabies have been installed as odds-on favourites to retain the Cook Cup against a makeshift England side hampered by a chaotic build-up.

But Deans has identified England as the greatest threat.

The Wallabies coach said: “Saturday is the toughest game because it’s England at Twickenham — that’s the way it is.

“We’ll have to earn everything we get. We’ve prepared to win the match and that’s what we’re aspiring to do.

“England will expect to win and we have an opportunity to chase that result, but we’re presuming nothing.

“I wasn’t aware that we’re favourites and frankly it doesn’t interest me.”

Deans stressed the importance of Australia’s pack cutting off Toulon fly-half Jonny Wilkinson’s ability to make an impact at source.

“Jonny’s return makes it distinct from the contest we had here this time last year,” said Deans, who watched his Wallabies triumph 28-14 at Twickenham 12 months ago.

“He can be influential and we want to minimise that as best we can. A big part of that will come from the foundation laid up front.”

Skipper Rocky Elsom is one player well-known to the northern hemisphere. Elsom captured the imagination during last season’s Heineken Cup when a string of Herculean displays in the knockout stages helped Leinster seize their first European crown.

The wrecking-ball back row left Ireland to re-sign for the Australian Rugby Union during the summer and instantly became a key member of the squad.

“Rocky is an influential character. He’s a strong man with a strong mind and is a good bloke to have alongside you,” said Deans.

“The captaincy is a new experience for him but he’s taken to it pretty well.”

Elsom, fly-half Matt Giteau and recalled openside George Smith are the senior figures in an Australia line-up every bit as makeshift as England’s.

In total the tourists have made five changes, two positional, from the team that lost 32-19 to New Zealand in last Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup clash in Tokyo.

Jonny Wilkinson, meanwhile insists he can handle the weight of expectation in tomorrow’s Investec Challenge showdown, his first England appearance in 18 months.

He said: “I have always tried to look at pressure in so many different ways to understand what it really does — but ultimately when the whistle goes you just do your best.

“You fight and you do whatever it takes to win.”

Wilkinson is relishing the opportunity to face the green and gold again. “It’s always special because they’re always up there at the top of the world game. You have to be 100% on your toes. As soon as you’re not, they’ll pull you apart.”