Tonight Brisbane time, the pride of English Rugby take to the field looking to secure just their fourth ever win on Australian soil. They've never won in the Sunshine State capital either. But man, are they on a roll or what? They come into this test match on the back of a six test winning sequence that encompassed the Six Nations Tournament. Under their master coach, Eddie Jones, they are yet to taste defeat, and you can bet your boots, Eddie will tonight want Australian blood. The man standing in his way is Michael Cheika, the bloke who took Australia to the World Cup Final and has returned Australia to near the top of the World rankings. Betting has Australia at about 4-6, with England at 7-5. This is going to be one hell of a series though. England come here in cracking form, while Australia has yet to put an international team on the park this year. An in form England against a first up Australia who get to play in their own back yard, hints at a fantastic test match. Both of these teams are monster outfits, so the first 20 or 30 minutes will be brutal. This England side is several classes above that team that crashed and burned in spectacular fashion in the last World Cup. I'm really looking forward to seeing the new English captain Dylan Hartley go about his business. The man has a fearsome reputation. He has in the past, stood before the disciplinary board and been asked to defend himself against such charges as eye gouging, biting and punching. He's a passionate man who'll have no problem firing up his players. And what rugby fan isn't going to salivate at the thought of these two gigantic packs ripping into one another? Of course I'll be all out for a Wallaby win, but if they go down to this fine English side, hopefully they'll go out on their shield. The same goes for the English as well.
Huge game over in Kiwiland where the All Blacks are on the back foot against Wales. At half time, Wales lead 15 - 18. Two tries apiece.
Second half begins with the ABs looking a bit rusty. Welsh recent playing form standing them in good stead.
ABs in panic made, some silly behind the line kicking is giving Wales some cheap ball. 25 min to go, Wales up by 18 - 21.
Bad lapse in defence in the 62 nd minute. NZ awarded penalty 10 out and take surprise tap. Easy try and conversion. 25-21. NZ.
The heroic effort by Wales has come to a shuddering halt. Their efforts to beat the ABs for the first time since 1953, fell in the last 20 minutes as heavy legs told the story. Final score, NZ 39 Wales 21.
Super first half from us, especially after getting the runaround in the first 15mins of the game. Plenty of drama still in this game Cyc...
Australia score two tries to one, but indiscipline gives England the chance to kick themselves to a handy 13 - 19 lead at half time.
Big effort by England Red. If Aust can't keep the whistle out of the ref's mouth, then I think England can boot themselves to victory.
After the last World Cup, some players in the Japan squad said they'd never play under Jones again. They said that during training he drove them beyond a reasonable degree. England have clearly thrived under the Jones blowtorch.
A great start for English sport today! Now we just need to bowl Sri Lanka out this afternoon before beating Russia this evening
Another close match again, gonna take a big effort from either side to take this one. Our defense looks solid but one flash of brilliance couldun do it all... Shame about the pitch though...