Australia will attack England in Rugby World Cup clash, says head coach Michael Cheika

By PA Media

Image: Australia head coach Michael Cheika claims the fear inside his side "is dead"

Australia head coach Michael Cheika insists his side will enter their World Cup quarter-final against England devoid of fear after promising all-out attack at Oita Stadium.

Cheika will go up against his former team-mate Eddie Jones for what is likely to be the last time in their current roles, as the losing coach is expected to depart should they suffer defeat in the last-eight showdown.

Australia are substantial underdogs, not least because of their six-Test losing run against Jones' England, but Cheika insists they will play without restraint.

"I always say, but no one seems to believe me, that my attention is always on just Australia, the type of game we can bring and how we can attack the opposition whether that's with the ball or without it," Cheika said.

Australia captain Michael Hooper says he is ready for a "huge" battle with England's back row

"Not thinking about how we're going to defend against the opposition and what they will attack us with. Then it becomes a battle of will, who wants to attack more?

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"When I talk about attack I'm not just talking about with the ball, I'm talking about who wants to attack more.

"We're almost I suppose dead in that way because the fear inside us is dead. We're not afraid to go there and get it and that means it's going to be a great game."

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For all their history as sparring partners as coaches, Cheika and Jones have engaged in a joint charm offensive this week.

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Cheika, however, does not believes Jones' claim that his decision to drop George Ford in favour of Henry Slade in order to beef-up England's midfield is due to the threat of Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi.

"Most of that stuff is, what's the word for it? Fake news? Like 'I changed this because this is happening'," Cheika said.

"Mate, none of us are giving out our tactics in real life and we'd be mad if we did. If he was really telling me that he's changing the thing because of this... well I'm not going to go to my blokes and say 'well, he changed everything because of you guys'.

"It's irrelevant to us, that stuff, it's just like turn up and be ready and play what's in front of you.

"It doesn't matter, as long as you know exactly what you want to get and you go out and get it."

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