The unfamiliar surroundings of the south of France and Australia's Wallabies prepare for a familiar test. The Aussies continue their rivalry with old foes England at Marseille's Stade Velodrome on Saturday in the first Rugby World Cup quarter-final - it's not about revenge for the 2003 final for coach John Connolly, and talk of animosity between the camps is apparently off the mark. SOUNDBITE: (English) Q. - Is this a fake war, this animosity - Australia against England? A. "It's not, for us it's not an issue. As I said, we're just as...you know, Test rugby's about being competitive. I mean, Michael Foley (assistant coach) and I coached in England for a number of years. We've got a lot of friends in the English side so for us it's not an issue, it's about winning for Australia." SUPERCAPTION: John Connolly, Australia head coach. Well-rested captain Stirling Mortlock returns to the starting line-up having played just two pool games, George Gregan's experience will be key as 21-year-old Berrick Barnes once again stands in for injured playmaker Stephen Larkham. But overall, things may well be falling into place for a settled Aussie outfit. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I think we go into this match knowing that it's going to be a significant test. Obviously, it is sudden death so that extra pressure comes in but you've got to back yourself and back your preparation. I think this squad has improved dramatically over the last 18 months and there's a lot of confidence in each other, confidence in our gameplan and confidence in our ability to do that under pressure so... you don't just get that by having a few games. I think it's a slow process and hopefully we can go out there and show the best that we can do on Saturday." SUPERCAPTION: Stirling Mortlock, Australia captain. Connolly sprung one selection surprise, leaving out the tournament's leading try-scorer Drew Mitchell, for Adam Ashley-Cooper, but there are enough survivors of that immense battle in Sydney four years ago to provide inspiration and a desire to put things right. <저작권자(c)연합뉴스.무단전재-재배포금지> Australia prepare for familiar test
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Added: Oct 8, 2007 |
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