England have that winning look

LONDON - Six Nations champions England were looking formidably similar to the Australian teams who won the World Cup in 1991 and 1999, according to former Wallabies great Tim Horan.

Horan, who played in both Australian World Cup triumphs, said the 42-6 demolition of Ireland last weekend which gave the English a resounding Grand Slam should make them joint favourites with New Zealand to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy in Australia in November.

But the player of the 1999 tournament, currently in his third season with London club Saracens, still believed Australia would win.

"England can take it for sure. They are very well drilled. I still think Australia will win, I'll always say that. But England and New Zealand should be the favourites.

"England look similar to what Australia did in 1991 and 1999. They've got a good squad which is important in the World Cup when you've got seven games to get to the final.

"The structure they have is very similar to what we had. They've got players peaking at the right time, and they have five or six toward the end of their careers who are playing very good rugby.

"Bar one player, you could bring any player from the England A side in and the team wouldn't really change."

That one irreplaceable player is first five-eighth Jonny Wilkinson, revered in England as the most complete player in world rugby.

"England without Jonny Wilkinson would probably still win their games, but their direction wouldn't be the same," Horan said. "He's as good as everyone says. I've played against him three or four times and he's outstanding. I mean, he kicked a couple of field goals with his wrong foot last weekend."

Many pundits are pushing for England coach Clive Woodward to leave the battered Wilkinson at home for some much needed recuperation when England tour Australia and New Zealand in June.

But Woodward wants to take a full-strength squad because he knows the one-off tests against New Zealand in Wellington on June 14 and Australia in Melbourne a week later will be vital for all three teams in their World Cup preparations.

Horan said England's record outside Twickenham, where they have won the last 21 tests, including victories over Australia, New Zealand and South Africa late last year, denied them outright World Cup favouritism.

But their victory over Ireland in Dublin last weekend finally erased doubts over their ability to win big games away from home, even though their mettle will be tested further when they head south.

"England's biggest tour is playing New Zealand away [in Wellington] and Australia away. The day after that, they can start talking about whether they're a big chance," Horan said.

Horan predicted Australian coach Eddie Jones would discard reputations this year and pick the form players from the Super 12 to defend the World Cup, regardless of experience.

In Sydney, Jones said no parallels could be drawn between early Super 12 form and the international programme.

"Super 12 form is not a good indication of how a national team will go. South African teams are running seventh, eighth, ninth and 12th, but individually they've had some of the most impressive performers in the tournament.

"Collectively, they will form a strong side for the Springboks."

He also pointed out that the 1999 Super 12 final was contested between the Crusaders and Highlanders, yet the Wallabies won the World Cup.

Brumbies coach David Nucifora refused to rule his side out of the Super 12 race.

"Anything could happen in the next five weeks. If we play well in the back half of the competition, we're make the playoffs."

- AGENCIES