Kevin Sinfield has wired the significance of finding out England’s southern hemisphere opposite numbers, with New Zealand internet hosting South Africa in a blockbuster conflict on Saturday, however the protection trainer insists he does not care who his aspect face on the World Cup.
England are extensively thought to be to be at the more straightforward aspect of the draw, within the reverse part to France, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa – the highest 4 aspects on the earth – and would keep away from the ones groups till the semi-finals. Last weekend’s opening suits of the Rugby Championship simplest highlighted the disparity, with New Zealand thumping Argentina, who’re in England’s pool, and South Africa thrashing Eddie Jones’s Australia – doable quarter-final warring parties for Steve Borthwick’s aspect.
On Saturday the All Blacks host the Springboks and Australia’s fit in opposition to Argentina could be very a lot the undercard to the primary match in Auckland, regardless of it being Jones’ homecoming. Sinfield mentioned England’s coaches had watched remaining weekend’s Rugby Championship suits – in addition to a fixture between a Japan XV and an All Blacks XV in Tokyo remaining Saturday.
But requested about England’s good fortune with the draw, he mentioned: “Honestly, I’m not bothered at all who we play or what the draw is. We’ll get the best out of this team. Whoever we have to face, we have to face, whenever that is. This management team and our players have had nothing to do with the draw. We can only do what we can do and we spend all our time trying to make us better each day. What will be will be.
“You would expect us to be studying. We all watch the games, they were two fantastic games and I would also add that the Japan game against the All Blacks XV was a game we looked at. At the forefront of our minds at the minute are the players we have got here and trying to ensure we prepare them as best we can so they are ready to go. But also whilst there is an opportunity – there are some good international games taking place with some fantastic players, with some teams that we could face at some stage – it is important to have a look at them.”
South Africa’s 43-12 victory over Australia was all the more impressive because the Springboks were without a host of senior players who were absent with an eye on the New Zealand fixture. “They’ve were given incredible intensity,” added Sinfield. “But ultimately it will be 15 v 15, won’t it? They can’t bring any more on if we get to play against them. That’s a long way down the track
“I thought the games were really entertaining over the weekend. We learned some bits. I think they’ve got very good depth, South Africa, and it will be a good game this weekend.”