Sackey wary of Wallabies
England winger Paul Sackey has warned his team-mates to be aware of an “awesome Australia” seeking revenge when they return to Twickenham on Saturday.
England winger Paul Sackey has warned his team-mates to be aware of an “awesome Australia” seeking revenge when they return to Twickenham on Saturday.
The London Wasps star was in fine form for England against the Pacific Islanders – scoring twice in the 39-13 win in what was Martin Johnson's first match in charge.
However, Sackey is well-aware that he and his team-mates will face a much stiffer contest against the Wallabies when they travel to Twickenham looking to avenge their 2007 World Cup quarter-final defeat.
“We'll have to step it up a gear next week,” said Sackey.
“Hopefully we'll iron out the mistakes. Australia are an awesome side and they will not want to come over here and lose.
“They have got talented players throughout the side and it will have hurt them massively losing the final to us in 2003 and going out to us in France. They will be looking for revenge big-time.”
Sackey, however, believes England's rapid back-line will be too much for the Aussies to handle.
Ugo Monye has been clocked running 100 metres at 10.6 seconds and Delon Armitage is one of the fastest full-backs in the Guinness Premiership. Scrum-half Danny Care and fly-half Danny Cipriani are both quick off the mark and Sackey himself is one of the fastest wing men around.
“It's one of the fastest ever England back lines – Ugo and Delon are quick guys,” said Sackey.
“But it's not just the back three. Danny Care and Cipriani's partnership is going to be outstanding as well. The locks' partnership went well.
“If we can get it right it is going to be outstanding. There is experience and youth and talent. It could be very exciting.”
Sackey's two tries brought his tally to nine in sixteen internationals. Not a bad strike rate, but the dreadlocked flyer insists he is hungry for more.
“It's okay but I would want 16 out of 16,” he said.
“I always like to score. If I don't score and we win I'm still quite down. Every game I try to get on the scoresheet.
“But it's a fairly new team. Danny Care and Cipriani hadn't played together before. It was a new back three. All over the park there were new combinations.”