Two England backs have looked past Australia’s patchy backline output at the Rugby World Cup and labelled their attack an improved and unpredictable beast.
Fullback Elliot Daly said the variety of attacking options at Australia’s disposal was a concern heading into Saturday’s quarter-final in Oita while inside centre Jonathan Joseph has his eyes squarely trained on powerful opposite Samu Kerevi.
The Wallabies pack has played with authority in Japan while the back play has shone in patches but often lacked cohesion, particularly in the first half of games.
Daly, rated one of the world’s most multi-skilled performers, said planning to stop the Wallabies isn’t as straightforward as it used to be.
“Over the last couple of years, they have really expanded their attacking game and play both sides of the ruck, especially as all their 10s and 15s like to get their hands on the ball,” Daly said.
“I think they have quite a varied kicking game, with quite a lot of cross kicks off 10, they have wingers who are good in the air. That will pose a different threat.”
It has been England’s attack that has shone during their six-match winning streak against Australia since the last World Cup.
The men in white have scored 21 tries in that period, with the elusive Joseph bagging four of them and Daly two.
However, Joseph believes Australia have benefited this year by making Kerevi a regular fixture in the midfield.
The powerhouse inside centre sent shudders through defenders on the inside and created room in wider spaces, Joseph opined.
“He is a fantastic player, I have seen him develop and get better and better over the past few years,” he said.
“We have seen that in this World Cup. He loves his offloading game and is destructive when he gets his hands on the ball.”
Joseph said James O’Connor’s return this year at outside centre gave Australia a skilled ball player whose link play was a threat.
O’Connor is one of the smaller outside backs in world rugby and he can expect to have his defence fully tested by behemoth opposite number Manu Tuilagi.