Tindall out for 'payback'

'We're are still licking our wounds'

England vice-captain Mike Tindall insists that the World Cup holders will be powered by a sense of payback when they tackle 2003 RWC finalists Australia at Twickenham on Saturday. This follows England's 51-15 hiding by Australia in Brisbane in June.

"Next weekend is a massive game," said the Bath star Mike Tindall, following England's 32-16 triumph over Tri-Nations champions South Africa at the weekend - a victory that made it six successive wins against the Springboks.

"We are still licking our wounds from the summer, and we have to get some payback. Australia always play well, and they are probably the most consistent team in world rugby.

"We want to dominate the other team, and we have done that in the two games we have played so far [against Canada and South Africa]. Australia play a lot more varied game, and it will be another different challenge," he added.

"It's another game that we have got to win. We lost the last time we played against Australia, and now we have got a chance to put that right."

The Wallabies have not beaten England at Twickenham for six years, and if the home forwards can reproduce similar levels of power and organisation that helped destroy South Africa, then their miserable sequence is likely to continue.

Coach Eddie Jones also has major injury worries, with fly-half Stephen Larkham (broken arm) and centre Stirling Mortlock (fractured cheekbone) already out, while wing Clyde Rathbone and lock Justin Harrison are both nursing groin problems.

England played with unlimited levels of desire and energy to dismantle the much-vaunted Springboks pack.

They outgunned South Africa in every significant contact area, claiming 10 possession turnovers to the Springboks' three - missing nine tackles to their opponents' 13 and proving doubly effective from ruck situations.

"England have been very successful, but not all of us have been involved with that," said red rose prop Julian White.

"Everyone compares this side with the World Cup team, but it was a year ago now, and it's about drawing a line under that.

"Martin Johnson and the rest are legendary players, but they have stepped aside and we can't keep on talking about them."

Sale Sharks playmaker Charlie Hodgson gloriously came up trumps for England, contributing 27 points as he went through the scoring card with a try, drop-goal, five penalties and two conversions.

It equalled the England individual points record against South Africa, jointly held by Jonny Wilkinson and his Newcastle mentor Rob Andrew.

Hodgson's Sharks team-mate Mark Cueto added a try - his third in two Tests - while South Africa replied with 11 points from full-back Percy Montgomery and a late touchdown by substitute Bryan Habana.

"This was their opportunity, and they owed it to themselves to take it. Sometimes, the opportunities don't come around again," said England coach Andy Robinson, in salute of England's unsung heroes.

"From numbers one to 15, one to 22, every player has bought into it, led tremendously well by Jason Robinson. Martin Corry had a fabulous game, based on the work of the front-five.

"It was a tremendous performance from the forwards, but what led the performance was our defensive work.

"We didn't allow South Africa any momentum. We got in their faces and knocked them over, which was hugely important. We made big tackles that forced turnovers, and we really knocked the stuffing out of the South Africans."