Jones springs Farrell surprise
England to combat rivals’ midfield power
OITA: England coach Eddie Jones sprung a big surprise yesterday by naming Owen Farrell to start at fly-half in the World Cup quarter-final against Australia, benching George Ford and bringing in Henry Slade to join Manu Tuilagi in midfield.
Billy Vunipola has recovered from a twisted ankle and will start tomorrow, as will his brother Mako in the front row.
Courtney Lawes replaces George Kruis in the second row alongside Maro Itoje while Jamie Joseph replaces the injured Jack Nowell on the bench.
Jones has long bounced Farrell between fly-half and centre but appeared to have settled on playing him at 12 at the World Cup in Japan, where Ford has been one of England’s most impressive players operating at fly-half.
However, by dropping Ford to the bench and giving Slade his first start of the tournament Jones appears to be seeking to combat Australia’s midfield power, particularly the threat of the dynamic Samu Kerevi.
“Australia are a clever team, they will have some specific attacking strategies to play against us so we need to have a great situational awareness,” Jones said.
“We need to defend with brutality and when we have the ball we need play on top of them.”
Ford, who has looked sharp in Japan, can consider himself unlucky to be left out but Jones will insist that as one of his “finishers” he will have a key role to play.
The return of Mako Vunipola in the front row is also a big boost as the prop makes his first tournament start having played just a few minutes since suffering a hamstring injury in May.
Jonny May will win his 50th cap in the match and Jones said the World Cup had shown how hard the winger had worked on his game.
AUSSIES TO UNLEASH PETAIA
Australia coach Michael Cheika yesterday named teen sensation Jordan Petaia in his starting side to face England in a bold gamble.
Cheika’s surprise decision to field the explosive 19-year-old at centre is one of five changes for tomorrow’s clash in Oita with wing Reece Hodge back from a three-game ban and centre James O’Connor dropping to the bench.
Allan Ala’alatoa, Michael Hooper, Will Genia, Christian Lealiifano also return to the starting line-up after Australia beat Georgia 27-8 in their final pool game.
Petaia has played just two Tests, both on the wing, but Wallabies selectors have backed him to make an impact at outside centre, where he has played for Super Rugby side Queensland Reds.
It represents something of a risk by Cheika, who also named centurion Genia at scrum-half in place of Nic White, with Kurtley Beale poised to start at full-back.
“I trust him infinitely,” Cheika said of Petaia. “He’s looking good as gold. It’s going to be fast and aggressive but I just know he will rise to the challenge — I’ve seen it in him.”
TEAMS
England (15-1): Elliot Daly; Anthony Watson, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Jonny May; Owen Farrell (capt), Ben Youngs; Billy Vunipola, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry; Courtney Lawes, Maro Itoje; Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Marler, Dan Cole, George Kruis, Lewis Ludlam, Willi Heinz, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph
Australia (15-1): Kurtley Beale; Reece Hodge, Jordan Petaia, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete; Christian Lealiifano, Will Genia; Isi Naisarani, Michael Hooper (capt), David Pocock; Rory Arnold, Izack Rodda; Allan Alaalatoa, Tolu Latu, Scott Sio
Replacements: Jordan Uelese, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Adam Coleman, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Nic White, Matt To’omua, James O’Connor