Australia’s Harry Wilson Dismisses Allegations of Wallabies’ Illegal Breakdown Tactics
Australia’s rugby captain, Harry Wilson, has firmly dismissed allegations regarding the Wallabies’ use of illegal breakdown tactics ahead of the crucial match against England. This response comes after England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, raised concerns about these tactics in a meeting with referee Nika Amashukeli before the match at Twickenham.
Claims of Illegal Breakdown Tactics
The Daily Telegraph reported Borthwick’s claims that the Wallabies often enter rucks illegally from the side. He also expressed worries over player welfare regarding the tourists’ techniques in clear-outs. In response, Wilson challenged the notion of illegal plays, stating, “Firstly, I’d like to question how many are illegal. And to say that they are dangerous – they are definitely not.”
Wilson defended his team’s tactics, insisting that head coach Joe Schmidt would never permit illegal actions at breakdowns. He highlighted that Australia has participated in over 2,000 rucks this year, and the focus on isolated incidents is misleading. “We think we are quite good at our attacking breakdown,” he added, emphasizing the team’s excitement for a reputable competition.
Building Confidence Against the Odds
Despite facing England as the underdog, the Wallabies have a history of achieving significant victories against expectations. Although they will miss key players—James O’Connor, Len Ikitau, Tom Hooper, and Will Skelton—due to the match occurring outside the international window, Wilson remains optimistic. He noted, “There haven’t been many games since I’ve been captain where we have been the favourites. We enjoy that challenge.”
- Recent history: Wallabies registered comeback wins, including a significant victory at Twickenham last year.
- Wilson’s perspective: “Last year this game was a big turning point for us.”
- Team mentality: Focus on internal improvement and self-belief.
England’s Preparations and Wilson’s Thoughts
As Wilson pointed out, England’s limited training sessions could provide an advantage for Australia. Borthwick has indicated that his side has only had four training sessions since the conclusion of the Six Nations in March. Wilson commented, “If they want to put that out there, if it’s an excuse for them… We’ve had a lot of footy in a row.”
He expressed confidence in the team’s continuity and preparation, stating, “It’s been an awesome year, which we’ve loved. We’ll take any advantage we can get.”
As the Wallabies prepare for this highly anticipated encounter, the focus remains on showcasing their capabilities and challenging the narrative surrounding their playing style.
