England coach Clive Woodward is ready for the crunch against South Africa on Saturday — but he doesn’t expect a repeat of last year’s ‘Boer War†at Twickenham. After their 84-6, 12-try demolition of Georgia, the biggest win of the World Cup so far, Woodward said: ”Saturday is going to be a huge challenge. Last November is history now. Everybody’s made up and apologised. I don’t expect that kind of thing to happen again.
”Tonight was a great experience for England, a great work out. Our guys know they’ve been in a game, and that’s just what we wanted before next Saturday’s huge game against South Africa.
”We’ve been looking forward to the Springbok game since last November. The atmosphere was great tonight, but it will be ten times that on Sunday. I hope the match lives up to the World Cup. I like physicality, we’re a hard physical side. But you will hear from me if the opposition steps over the line.
”The South Africans looked in good physical shape against Uruguay. I thought they played it in the right spirit. But next week is a completely different event.”
Captain Martin Johnson said: ”It was hard work at scrums, it was hard work at mauls. There were some big tackles coming in. They caused a few problems.
”We know we’ve been in a tough game despite the scoreline. The guys needed a run out. We’ll be the better for it next week.”
Centre Will Greenwood, who scored two of the dozen tries, said: ”Georgia chased till the end. There were no easy yards out there.
”Going in to a huge Test match next week, there are things to im prove on. But I don’t think we’re the only side saying that after our first game.
”After my second try, I held up two fingers and I’ve had more texts from home than I’ve ever had before!”
England’s one worry? Matt Dawson has ”a bang on the leg” while his scrum half rival, Kyran Bracken has back problems. He sat 10 yards from me during last night’s game – and he looked far from comfortable.
That leaves Gloucester’s Andy Gomarsall, who played well as a replacement last night, as the only fit No 9 — and raises the possibility of versatile Austin Healey being called in to the side, only Woodward said: ”He’s injured too. He didn’t even make the Leicester warm-up over the weekend.”
Utility back Mike Catt could be called up to the bench if all other options fail.
Woodward says: ”Everyone’s smiling down there and the medical guys are working on them, so I can’t really say how the injuries are. I’ll give it 24 hours. You can’t tell after the game, we’ll make an assessment in the morning.
”Kyran said his back was a bit sore this morning, so we changed the 22 and bought Gomarsall in. If we need to act, we’ll act quickly, with such a big game coming up.”
Georgia’s Gregoire Yachvili, one of the players who made a phenomenal 154 tackles to England’s 40, said: ”It is very difficult with English players who run so fast and are in such good condition.”
And their French coach Claude Saurel confessed: ”The England team were very impressive. We worked hard, did our best. I am the kind of person who refuses to be negative. This will help us prepare for the future.
”Were you disappointed with us? We did the best we could.”
And with that Georgia, all guts and no glory, departed in to the cold Perth night, to an uncharacteristic round of applause from the hard-bitten press gang.