Australia's Drew Mitchell scores a try against Uruguay during their Rugby World Cup pool A clash. Photo / AP
NZME's rugby experts have made their predictions for the Rugby World Cup pool A crunch match between Australia and England.
England are in disarray, Australia are looking increasingly dangerous. Their backs should cut the English to pieces at Twickenham and David Pocock and Michael Hooper should ensure their team win the breakdown battle. The robotic English forwards look a bit uncomfortable handling the ball; the Aussies much less so.
England will pinch this by a small margin. Familiarity with Twickers, massive crowd support, referee Romaine Poite, superior goal-kicking and the extra adrenaline they will use, knowing that a slipup will tarnish the nation's hosting work and leave them on the brink of their worst result in RWC history.
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Because they have to. I'm picking desperation, a Northern Hemisphere referee and a few iffy scrum penalties to be the difference.
Pocock x Hooper + Fardy = Breakdown dominace; Breakdown dominance + Kuridrani x Folau = Wallabies win
England will be made to look inept at the breakdown as Hooper and Pocock replicate their efforts from Sydney. The Aussies lose a bit of shape late in the game with substitutions but are still out of reach for the hosts.
Tempted to follow bookies and pick home team but England, as seen in loss to Wales, will buckle under pressure. Workhorse loosies will struggle with double trouble of Pocock and Hooper.
The former England winger opened up about his struggles post retirement.