An historic Test series in the bag, England will aim for a whitewash when they play Australia in the third Test match in Sydney on Saturday. The Wallabies have already relinquished the Cook Cup after defeat in Melbourne seven days ago, but they will want to make sure they do not suffer the ignominy of a whitewash at the hands of one of their biggest rivals.
England have been outstanding defensively in this series against Australia, winning matches despite ceding territory and possession to Australia. In the second Test, much of the action took place in England's half, but when it mattered most their defence held, before the attack found ways to score to completely bamboozle the Wallabies.
Michael Cheika, the Australia coach, is hopeful Eddie Jones' men will come out and play a bit more attacking rugby in this third Test match.
"Maybe now they've won the series they'll open up a bit more," Cheika was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. "Teams that I think are dull throw it around a little bit more because they've won the series. They'll be a bit freer I suppose.
"Eddie and me play different footy. We are not set up to play kick and chase footy. We play running rugby. All the teams that I've been involved with as a coach played lots of footy. When it doesn't work, you get hit on the counter. I believe that you stay at it and you overcome."
As much as Cheika might be frustrated by his team's inability to find a way through England's defence, you cannot help but marvel at the transformation this English side have gone through since Jones has taken over. To back a Six Nations victory with a series win down under is quite outstanding, and it will be more so, if England manage to make it 3-0 on Saturday.
"It's a fantastic opportunity," Jones was quoted as saying by The Telegraph. "It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to beat Australia 3-0. If you look at sides that come to Australia and win, the only side that does that regularly is New Zealand. The other sides who come in generally get beaten.
"It's a tough place to win, so in winning the series and then if we win 3-0 that's a significant achievement for the team."
Teams: Australia: Australia: Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; James Slipper, Stephen Moore (C), Sekope Kepu, Will Skelton, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, Sean McMahon
Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio, Greg Holmes, Adam Coleman, Wycliff Palu, Nick Frisby, Christian Leali'ifano, Taqele Naiyaravoro.
England: Mike Brown; Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Jack Nowell; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Dylan Hartley (C), Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Chris Robshaw, Teimana Harrison, Billy Vunipola
Replacements: Jamie George, Matt Mullan, Paul Hill, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Jack Clifford, Danny Care, Elliot Daly.
Where to Watch Live
Australia vs England 3rd Test match is scheduled for an 8 p.m. local time (3.30 p.m. IST, 11 a.m. BST) start. Below are the live streaming and TV options.
India: No coverage.
Australia: TV: Channel 10. Live Streaming: Tenplay.
UK: TV: Sky Sports 1. Live Streaming: Watch Sky Sports and Sky Go.
South Africa: TV: SuperSport 1. Live Streaming: SuperSport Live Video.
New Zealand: TV: Sky Sport 3. Live Streaming: Sky Go NZ.
Asia: TV: Setanta.
