England reveal end-of-year opponents
LONDON, Nov 30, (AFP): The Rugby Football Union (RFU) on Friday announced that England will play Australia, Argentina and New Zealand at Twickenham in the 2013 end-of-year internationals.
England have beaten Fiji and lost to Australia and South Africa in the current series of matches, which concludes on Saturday when they face New Zealand.
“The 2012 QBE Internationals are living up to expectations,” said England head coach Stuart Lancaster.
“We have gone head to head with the best teams in the Southern Hemisphere at Twickenham. In the process, we have learnt a lot about our players and what is required to perform at the very top level of international rugby.
“We are looking forward to meeting Australia and New Zealand again next November and welcoming Argentina to Twickenham for the first time since 2009.” England 2013 end-of-year internationals: Saturday, November 2: Australia (Twickenham)
Saturday, (Twickenham)
Saturday, November 16: (Twickenham)
November
9:
Argentina
New Zealand Stuart Lancaster after last week’s 1615 loss to South Africa followed a 20-14 defeat by Australia earlier this month. “We know that the English will lift themselves for their final match of the year, especially following their two recent narrow defeats, and we need to be prepared to match them in all facets,” said Hansen.
The one area where most judges might agree that England fly-half Owen Farrell has the edge over Carter is match fitness, which makes it all the more remarkable the 21-year-old has been named alongside the All Blacks ace in the list of nominees for the International Rugby Board player of the year award.
“It may be a game against the best team in the world but it is still another game of rugby,” said a bullish Farrell, in for the injured Toby Flood in the only change to the starting XV that failed to score a try against South Africa.
“I have been coming off the bench but I feel I have been getting better and better as the weeks have been going on.” But it is England’s back three of Alex Goode, Chris Ashton and Mike Brown that Hansen believes represents the most attacking aspect of the hosts’ line-up.
“They (England) will be desperate,” said Hansen. “Stuart Lancaster is doing a pretty good job and has a fair idea of what he wants, but it will take him time. The back three is as good a back three as in world rugby.”
Hansen has made three changes to the starting side that beat Wales, recalling Carter in place of Aaron Cruden and being forced to bring in Keven Mealamu at hooker after Andrew Hore was suspended for punching Welsh lock Bradley Davies.
“We don’t want to see that in the game and although we love Andrew, we didn’t love what he did,” Hansen insisted. Meanwhile Brodie Retallick has been selected at lock in place of Luke Romano in a bid to help New