England have warned the Wallabies they will dial up their abrasive approach in Saturday’s tour decider following claims from Australia about the level of niggle in the series, with the forwards coach Richard Cockerill insisting it has been “pretty tame” so far.
The buildup to the third Test has been dominated by Australia accusing England of “off the ball stuff” in Perth and Brisbane while the ferocity with which Wednesday night’s State Of Origin decider was played out has steeled both sides before Saturday’s clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
England raced into a 19-0 lead last week in Brisbane after Ellis Genge set the tone by thundering into the Wallabies captain Michael Hooper, bringing a physicality that Australia could not live with.
Genge was involved in some afters with the scrum-half Nic White as well as Hooper while in the first Test, Australia’s Darcy Swain was sent off for a headbutt on Jonny Hill amid provocation from the England lock.