There have been heavy suggestions league convert Ben Te'o was set for a start at second five eighths to bring a different dimension to the two-pivot system England have also used. However Te'o has been too sore to run at training at their Gold Coast base amid chat if he cannot start, then Luther Burrell will be the physical force.
Equally absorbing is the notion that Chris Robshaw, England's deposed captain but player of the Six Nations tournament, may be shunted aside at blindside flanker.
That would be a consequence of Joe Launchbury and George Kruis being used as locks and pushing the young, athletic Maro Itoje to blindside flanker.
Robshaw missed the pre-tour win against Wales because he was at his brother's wedding and there has been growing appreciation about Itoje's talents. He plays looseforward in club rugby and his breakdown work and lineout ability would give extra thrust to England's forwards.
A loose trio of James Haskell, Billy Vunipola and Itoje would provide a real contrast to the Wallaby loose trio where David Pocock and Michael Hooper are expected to operate in tandem alongside Scott Fardy.