Wallabies are too good to lie down for long warns Holmes
EXETER prop Greg Holmes has warned England to expect an Aussie backlash when the under-fire Wallabies visit Twickenham this autumn.
Staunch Queenslander Holmes was a member of the Australia side whitewashed 3-0 by Eddie Jones’ revitalised Red Rose outfit in June.
Michael Cheika’s Wallabies were subsequently humbled twice by New Zealand, but Holmes insists reports of their demise are exaggerated.
He told The Rugby Paper: “Cheika’s a smart guy and problems in Australia do get blown out of proportion, especially on social media.
“Having just left the Wallabies environment, it’s a good environment to be in and the guys love playing for their country. Losing to England really hurt, and then against New Zealand people turn on you pretty quickly if you don’t win.
“But guys are jostling for positions and once they get a few things right and get back to winning ways, like they did against South Africa, they’ll come back strong and come to Europe in November looking to do themselves justice.”
Holmes added: “A year ago everyone was lauding Australia for reaching the World Cup final and England were being slated, but that’s the way rugby is – one year you’re on top and the next you’re battling and everyone’s having a go.
“But Australia have got good guys coming through and the Wallabies will come out the other side.
“The Australian Super Rugby sides are training hard and it wouldn’t surprise me if two or three of those make the top six next year. Things can change quickly and anybody writing Australia off this autumn should think again.”
As a Super Rugby winner with Queensland Reds in 2011 and a World Cup-finalist last year, 33-year-old Holmes is determined to bring his vast experience to bear as Exeter aim to kickstart their new campaign.
Early defeats to Wasps and Saracens were not on the agenda, but Holmes said: “Hopefully it was the just the kick up the backside we needed and with the quality of guys here, we won’t be on the back foot for long.”
Holmes insists he is no foreign mercenary looking for a last big pay day, explaining: “I’d fought hard to get back into the Wallabies after a long period out so that was a hard decision, but I just felt it was my time to move.
“Throughout my career I’ve always said I’d like to play overseas and I’m playing as good as I ever have, so I’ve come to a club where I can offer something and where the culture and coaching are truly first class.
“I made it clear to (Chiefs boss) Rob Baxter that I’m coming here to work my backside off and try to be the starting tight-head. He was happy with that and I’m happy with where the club wants to go, so I’ll offer as much as I can.”