LE PIAN MEDOC, 30 September – There's only one thing Australia second row Nathan Sharpe wants more than to knock England out of the world cup - that's winning the Webb Ellis Trophy.
It's nothing personal but rivalries build up desire and determination.
"There is so much tradition between Australia and England and I think a lot of people talk about a re-enactment of the (2003) world cup final but at the end of the day that game is gone and we will never get that back," Sharpe said on Sunday.
"But it would be a nice way to start this quarter-final by taking England out of the world cup. It is do-or-die and that is the beauty of the world cup. One of us is going to be going home next Monday and we certainly do not want that to be us."
The renewal of England and Australia's world cup rivalry will take place in Marseille this Saturday.
Ignominy avoided
England avoided becoming the first reigning champion not to qualify for the knockout phase with a 36-20 win over Tonga on Friday.
Meanwhile unbeaten Australia topped Pool B, beating Canada 37-6 on Saturday.
The Wallabies will be without number 8 David Lyons after he broke a leg against Canada. Coach John Connolly said a replacement player would be brought in.
Sharpe said his team-mates checked the world cup draw as soon as it was announced to see when they would cross paths with England.
"It has not snuck up on us and all the guys are looking forward to it," he said.
England focus
Australia's coaching staff have been analysing England since the Wallabies beat Fiji 55-12 a week ago.
"I guess you build a strategy, a tactic on how you want to play the game but you have to work at your game primarily to make sure you work at your scrum, to make sure the structure you want to play is in place, and how you want to attack them," Connolly said.
"Then you turn the page over and you look strongly at what you think you are going to get from England and how you are going to prepare for that."
It's obvious the Australians have much respect for England's Jonny Wilkinson and what he brings on and off the field.
"It is not just his goal kicking. I think it is the presence in their team. He was there in 2003 when they won the world cup and I think all the guys who probably have not experienced a world cup from the English side probably rally behind him," Sharpe said.
"You can see him speaking after the game to the whole team and he has a lot of presence. He is an important man to shut down."
RNS aa/mp/gs
http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2014734.html#sharpe+lines+england
It's nothing personal but rivalries build up desire and determination.
"There is so much tradition between Australia and England and I think a lot of people talk about a re-enactment of the (2003) world cup final but at the end of the day that game is gone and we will never get that back," Sharpe said on Sunday.
"But it would be a nice way to start this quarter-final by taking England out of the world cup. It is do-or-die and that is the beauty of the world cup. One of us is going to be going home next Monday and we certainly do not want that to be us."
The renewal of England and Australia's world cup rivalry will take place in Marseille this Saturday.
Ignominy avoided
England avoided becoming the first reigning champion not to qualify for the knockout phase with a 36-20 win over Tonga on Friday.
Meanwhile unbeaten Australia topped Pool B, beating Canada 37-6 on Saturday.
The Wallabies will be without number 8 David Lyons after he broke a leg against Canada. Coach John Connolly said a replacement player would be brought in.
Sharpe said his team-mates checked the world cup draw as soon as it was announced to see when they would cross paths with England.
"It has not snuck up on us and all the guys are looking forward to it," he said.
England focus
Australia's coaching staff have been analysing England since the Wallabies beat Fiji 55-12 a week ago.
"I guess you build a strategy, a tactic on how you want to play the game but you have to work at your game primarily to make sure you work at your scrum, to make sure the structure you want to play is in place, and how you want to attack them," Connolly said.
"Then you turn the page over and you look strongly at what you think you are going to get from England and how you are going to prepare for that."
It's obvious the Australians have much respect for England's Jonny Wilkinson and what he brings on and off the field.
"It is not just his goal kicking. I think it is the presence in their team. He was there in 2003 when they won the world cup and I think all the guys who probably have not experienced a world cup from the English side probably rally behind him," Sharpe said.
"You can see him speaking after the game to the whole team and he has a lot of presence. He is an important man to shut down."
RNS aa/mp/gs
http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2014734.html#sharpe+lines+england
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