England prop Ellis Genge is embracing the chance to face off against Taniela Tupou, eager to level the series with a more consistent performance in Brisbane.
Tupou is a major return for the Wallabies, returning from a significant calf injury in his home state, having missed November's defeat at Twickenham due to concussion.
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Whilst Genge wouldn't offer direct praise to Tupou, the potential to test himself against one of the best has always excited the Leicester captain.
“I love playing against the best tight-heads in the world,” he told reporters.
“I haven’t played against him or even met him. I’ve seen his highlights when he was 16 like everyone and he’s a big lad.”
“It’s probably a good matchup. In rugby you don’t get a lot of head-to-heads, I won't see Sam (Underhill, opposite flanker) much during the game so it is a really unique matchup in terms of front rowers actually coming up against each other," Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper notes.
"For me on the side of it, it’s going to be exciting to see. They’re both quality players, and how they work against each other is going to be interesting.’’
England were embracing the physical battle after falling away in the second half, with Genge out for a cleaner showing at set-piece time.
“I thought the scrums were quite messy last week, ended up on the deck quite a bit and (Bell) get pinged for hinging a few times,” Genge notes.
“We’d like it to tidy up and have a good contest there.
“We just have to be better in general. I know that’s a vague way of putting it, better in all facets.
“We were 5% off in all facets which cumulatively makes a big difference. I don’t think we’re miles off it, they were good but at the top level you get punished for being off anything."
The English were the last time to defeat the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium, with the hosts building a 10-game winning streak.
However, coach Eddie Jones has his own streak at Suncorp, unbeaten in his six Tests as coach.
Genge is one of few remaining from the whitewash in 2016 and hoped victory can kick-start their tour.
“Really? That’s class, the fortress,” Genge remarked when told about the Wallabies’ winning streak at Suncorp.
“I just remember enjoying myself (from 2016). It was a mint tour, I was 20-21 and didn’t have a care in the world.
“It was a brilliant tour to be a part of and so is this.”
