Rugby: England vs Australia Betting Preview

A repeat of the World Cup Final from just two years ago is served up at Twickenham this weekend, but at the mid way point before the next Champions of the world will be crowned, both England and Australia have fallen on bad times. It will always be a fever pitched encounter, and the Cook Cup is up for grabs, but for the first time in many years, neither can lay any claim to being amongst the top three sides in the world. England's World Cup hangover has been well documented, and this is being hailed as the chance for a fresh start. With the summer having occupied the top players on the British Lions Tour, this is the first time that a first choice England team has assembled since the end of the Six Nations in April. Having lost to Wales, Ireland and France in that tournament, Andy Robinson and co will have no doubt welcomed the time off. His initial squad selection of 40 suggested there were going to be some radical and inventive changes, but when push came to shove, the team is full of very familiar personnel. Mark Van Gisbergen, freshly qualified for England after being plucked from a plumbing job by London Wasps three years ago was the real news story and his selection seemed to make sense. He was a talented runner, a quality defender and most importantly a reliable kicker at every level at which he had been tested. This has been a specific area of weakness without Jonny Wilkinson, and Charlie Hodgson was noticeably rattled by some vintage sledging from Australia this time last year. The Wasps fullback did not make the final fifteen however. This does show faith in Hodgson though, and he has been superb in all facets of play so far this season for Guinness Premiership table topping Sale though and appears to be more confident in front of goal. He no longer looks like a man playing in the shadows of Wilkinson, and we believe would seriously push the World Cup winner for the number ten shirt, even if he was playing at his best. This is the time for Hodgson to make his mark on the world stage. His play is pivotal for England, especially with fairly negative selections at centre. The likes of James Simpson-Daniel, Ollie Smith, Eyoola Erinle and Josh Lewsey have all been ignored, with the more solid options of Mike Tindall and Jamie Noon picked instead. Leaving out Van Gisbergen has allowed for an all out attacking back three though. Lewsey has been the best England player since the world cup, and in Mark Cueto and Ben Cohen he has two wings of great bulk and speed, but most importantly with a nose for the try line alongside him. Up front, injuries have denied Joe Worsley a spot, but we are happy to see Pat Sanderson get a chance, and also feel powerhouse Andy Sheridan is finally in for a long run in the front row, injury permitting. Australia are still one place ahead of England in the world rankings, at number four, but their run of form is even worse. This season, which begins in June for Southern Hemisphere countries, they have only won once, and lost six times in succession, including last week against France in Marseilles by 16-26. George Gregan is surely near the end of his career and now holds the record number of caps at 115, but he remains skipper for the time being and Eddie Jones has stuck with him for Twickenham despite substituting him during the French game. In a brave move, Matt Rogers will begin at fly half with another rugby league convert, Wendell Sailor amongst the replacements. There is no doubt that there is an abundance of class in the back line, but they have too often failed to gel with the same or very similar personnel. Last year they recorded a win at Twickenham, a result that sent England's decline spiralling. On the eve of this contest, there is a definite air that both teams must restore confidence against credible opponents if the future can be looked at with any confidence. England are favourites at a general price of 4/7, and this equates to a handicap of -5 points. We feel the latter of these is worthy of a small wager. Martin Corry has been very vocal in saying that winning is the priority, and if this is the case, Hodgson can be expected to be given every chance to slot some penalties. Assuming he really has improved as a player and a man, we believe he can kick England to a decent sized victory against the Wallabies. He is also the best man for setting the backline on fire, and with a very exciting back three there ought to be potential for some wide play. The pack looks to be strong with good lineout options, and every player named also has a strong defence. England should set themselves on track this week, although with the All Blacks looming in seven days time, they may need all the belief they can muster.