Wallabies bracing for an Ashes clash

IT’S on again. Field goals, tears and controversies — Australia’s Rugby World Cup rivalry with England has seen no peer since the event began in 1987.

The only nations to contest two finals, it’s no surprise that record is split 1-1 given how close their conflicts have been at the global showpiece.

Overall, six matches are divided down the middle, though it’s 2-0 to England at the quarter-final stage — the point at which the two current teams will collide in Oita on Saturday.

It’s Michael Cheika against Eddie Jones. Samu Kerevi against Manu Tuilagi. An improving Wallabies pack against an England eight that monsters most in their path.

Cheika and Jones have already set the tone with some baiting words and more can be expected over the next week as the two former Randwick club teammates plot success.

History suggests supporters should brace for a nailbiter on the southern island of Kyushu, defying the one-sided nature of the relationship for the past four years.

Jones has trumped Cheika in six-from-six encounters since England’s embarrassing early exit in 2015.

It started with a 3-0 sweep on Australian soil in 2016, followed by three hefty wins at Twickenham, spaced a year apart. Blockbusting midfielder Kerevi said those results meant little because the crushing pressure of playing at a World Cup couldn’t be replicated elsewhere. Nevertheless, the Wallabies vice-captain couldn’t help but admire the turnaround instigated by Jones.

“I love playing England. They’re a great team. They have some awesome players and some awesome firepower,” Kerevi said.