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BORDEAUX - Australian winger Drew Mitchell is closing in on former All Black Jonah Lomu's all time World Cup tournament try-scoring record but it is his team-mates rather than his opponents who may pose his biggest obstacle.
Following his two-try performance against Canada on Saturday, the 23-year-old has recorded seven touch-downs in the tournament, one short of Lomu's mark from 1995 in South Africa.
Mitchell has made three starts for the Wallabies in this World Cup, scoring a brace against Japan after coming on as a substitute halfway through the second period, before adding a hat-trick against Fiji.
But he is in competition with Adam Ashley-Cooper for the right wing slot, with Lote Tuqiri almost certain to start on the left.
Australia coach John Connolly is keeping his cards close to his chest and has given both players cause for optimism in the last two days.
On Saturday, when asked about the pace of England winger Paul Sackey - the Aussies face the world champions in the quarter-finals - Connolly responded: "Yes but Adam Ashley-Cooper is a very good defender."
That may have suggested that Ashley-Cooper was in the box seat for a start.
However, on Sunday, Connolly revealed that his team would not likely be any different from that which started the Tri-Nations series and also against Wales - and it was Mitchell not Ashley-Cooper who got the nod for the Wales match.
Mitchell also started on the wing for Australia against Canada on Saturday whereas Ashley-Cooper found himself pushed into the centre following a backline reshuffle.
Mitchell is trying not to focus too much on the record.
"It was nice to add to the tally and getting another two is great," he said after the Canada match, before admitting he had no idea if he would play against England.
"I am not too sure, honest. At the end of the day if I am not picked, I will keep trying hard and support the guys playing."
But even if Mitchell does get the nod and does start the game and even scores one or two tries to equal or break Lomu's record, he could still end the tournament as the second highest try-scorer.
That's because New Zealand winger Doug Howlett is on six tries and given the attacking verve and try-scoring ability of the All Blacks, it could even be he and not Mitchell or Lomu who holds the record come the end of the tournament on October 20.
- AFP
