Australia captain Michael Hooper reveals Wallabies are planning for England late hits: 'It's something the halves have been working on'
- Australia can move ahead of England to No 2 side in world with victory
- Michael Cheika claimed old rivals will look to 'bully' his side with late hits
- Michael Hooper backed half-backs to deal with challenge having prepared
- He said: 'It's something the halves have been working on' ahead of game
Michael Hooper has revealed that Australia's half-backs are ready to be targeted by England in Saturday's Cook Cup clash at Twickenham.
Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika claimed that Eddie Jones' men will look to 'bully' their old rivals and have deliberately hit Will Genia and Bernard Foley late in previous encounters.
'It's something the halves have been working on,' Australia openside and captain Hooper said.
Michael Hooper is confident Australia have prepared for their half-backs being targeted
The Wallabies enjoyed a light session ahead of the crunch clash at Twickenham
The Australia captain is wary of the physical challenge to be laid down by England
'It (hitting late) is certainly to try to slow our ball down. Tactically if your half-back's not at the next ruck, they have more of an opportunity to get a turnover or get pressure on your ball.
'You've got to be careful with doing it because you can give away a penalty. Every time you play in big games there are going to be things like that coming up.
'It's just a tactic that you see not only England do, but a lot of other teams around the world and throughout this year. We are focusing on our things, our job.'
Australia will usurp England in second place in the global rankings if they end a four-match losing sequence in the fixture by winning at Twickenham.
The likes of fly-half Bernard Foley will try not to be caught up and slowed down in rucks
Australia could leapfrog England into the No 2 ranking in world rugby with victory
'It's something we haven't spoken about but we know there is a potential to do that,' Hooper said.
'Our focus has been all year to improve week by week against teams around the world.
'Our focus is what will work against England and it will be a nice bonus if it does happen.'
Adam Coleman has been ruled out of the match due to a thumb injury, resulting in a debut for Blake Enever. Among the replacements, Henry Speight drops off the extended bench named on Thursday.
'Blake has been picked for a really clear purpose - to do his stuff around the line-out, being strong in the set piece and just working,' Hooper said.
The Wallabies will be full of confidence having beaten Wales in their previous encounter
Michael Cheika's side have lost their last four encounters against Eddie Jones's men
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