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NEWS
Woodward throws down gauntlet
Wed, 15 Nov 2000 7:53 GMT
England team boss Clive Woodward has thrown down the gauntlet to Wallaby counterpart Rod Macqueen by saying that the Cook Cup game at Twickenham on Saturday is one that he and his side are expecting to win.
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Said Woodward, "We have no excuses this weekend. Everyone is in great shape - it is England versus Australia in front of more than 70,000 people at Twickenham.
"We are going to go out there and get stuck in. South Africa has given us momentum, and this is a very big game that we expect to win."
Woodward also went on to explain his reasons for dropping the gifted Leicester back Austin Healey to the subs bench.
"It is very tough on Austin - we will miss his creative style to a certain degree - but I believe Cohen and Luger are the two form wings," said Woodward.
"Test match rugby is a 22-man game now, and I am sure that Austin will have a major part to play on Saturday.
"Austin is in the 22, and I can bring him on if I want to. He is a one-off, a special player, and I would have no qualms about sending him on.
"Cohen is in exceptional form. I watched him score three tries for Northampton last Saturday, and it is the first time that both he and Luger have been fit at the same time to play for England," he added.
The 32-times-capped Healey was taking the England boss' decision squarely on the chin and will be looking to win his Test place back as soon as possible.
Healey admitted, "I was a bit gutted and a bit surprised when Clive told me.
"I think that I have played in something like 24 consecutive internationals - apart from when I was banned early last year - but this will probably perk me up.
Meanwhile Woodward heaped praise on loosehead Jason Leonard who will make history on Saturday as he joins Rory Underwood as England's highest capped Test player on 85 caps.
"Team selection is always done on merit, and Jason continues to pick up England caps because he is the best player in his position," said Woodward.
"David Flatman is pushing him very hard. But Jason continues to keep himself in great physical shape and is there on merit."
England have not beaten the world champions since Rob Andrew's unforgettable late drop goal gave them a dramatic World Cup quarter-final victory in Cape Town over the then cup Webb Ellis Trophy holders more than five years ago.
England have drawn one and lost four of last five Cook Cup Tests since but the Wallabies are now without at least 10 of the superstars who helped them become world champions last year.
By Pat McLoughlin
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