'We must rebuild fortress Twickenham'
Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:59
Martin Johnson has told his England stars to turn Twickenham back into the kind of impregnable fortress it was when he was rampaging around the turf at the home of English rugby.
The new England supremo's regime got off to an encouraging start with a 39-13 win over the Pacific Islanders, but Saturday's encounter with old enemies Australia represents a far more testing challenge.
When Johnson was in his pomp as a player, England put together a run of 22 consecutive wins at their home base, but they have managed just 15 in 35 matches there since he retired as captain after the 2003 World Cup triumph.
Saturday's clash represents Johnson's first encounter with the Wallabies since the 2003 Final in Sydney and he is anticipating an intense contest.
"There is a difference this week and that feeling is in the squad," Johnson said Friday. "We are testing ourselves against one of the top three teams in the world.
"Being an English player, people generally want to beat you. There is a lot of history there and people want to win at Twickenham.
"It always gives them an edge - but you have to turn that around. You can be tactically smart but the great thing about rugby is that it is about passion and emotion.
"The players are very aware the pace and level of intensity will increase. We have got to affect the crowd and get them on their feet. We have got to lift them, not the other way around."
England know they must improve across the board from last week if they are to challenge the Wallabies, who are also forging a new path under imported coach Robbie Deans and have played 11 Tests since June.
The Wallabies beat South Africa twice, New Zealand once and were only beaten to the Tri-Nations title by losing a showdown with the All Blacks in Brisbane.
"You find out what you are about when you play these guys," said Johnson.
"The players are very aware the pace and level of intensity will increase. This will be a sterner examination."
There is more than pride at stake on Saturday with England needing a successful year-end campaign to retain fourth place in the world rankings ahead next month's 2011 World Cup draw.
The top four countries will be kept apart in the group stages and England joined New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in that elite band last weekend by virtue of Argentina's defeat to France.
AFP
