Australia coach Michael Cheika kept the faith with his hard men Michael Hooper and David Pocock to break down England’s resistance in their “Pool of Death” World Cup clash on Saturday.
Cheika on Thursday named the same team that beat Fiji 28-13 in Australia’s opening game for the Twickenham battle.
An Australia victory would almost certainly knock hosts England out of the competition. And Cheika is again counting on the power of back-rowers Hooper and Pocock in the loose — which the Australians see as a key England weakness.
“We’ve been working hard each day this week to improve our game before we play England on Saturday,” said Cheika.
“I believe that this group has been really clear on where we must improve and the level we must be at to compete with England and we know that it’s going to be a very tough challenge.
“The group is really committed to making all Australians truly proud of how we represent them at this Rugby World Cup and Saturday night will be another opportunity for us to do that.”
Cheika said the match replacements would be named after training on Thursday.
Australia (15-1):
Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Rob Horne; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy; Rob Simmons, Kane Douglas; Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore (capt), Scott Sio
Replacements: to be named
Coach: Michael Cheika