Wallabies scrumhalf Nic White has stressed the importance of matching the English physically if they wish to claim the inaugural Ella-Mobbs Cup in Saturday's decider at the SCG.
The visitors levelled up the series largely thanks to a dominant opening 30 minutes, battering an ill-disciplined Wallabies outfit.
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This allowed Owen Farrell and the English to kick clear to a 19-0 lead, eventually closing out the game 25-17.
To avoid a similar script, White believes they need to shut down their explosive forwards early in the game in order to control the game.
“We were a little disappointed with how we came out of the box,” White told reporters.
“We can’t give anybody 19 point lead, especially a team like England who are a world class side. We knew they were going to come out of the box with a bit of edge and with that physicality.
“We were pretty disappointed with our physicality and our edge so there’s a lot to focus on there.
“…Both games they got us in that contact area. We know their big men are going to come out of the blocks firing and we’re going to have to better up front. We’ve come home strong in both games, it’s about arresting that first half because they have some big, explosive men coming out fast.”
Whilst the start was disappointing, White suggested their second-half surge has flipped any momentum, confident whoever is called upon can effectively contribute.
“I think we’re changed (momentum) in the second half,” he said.
“19 points down and certainly came back with our tails up and we just didn’t execute those moments in the second half and we did in the first Test.
“A week is a long time in Rugby so certainly not worried about that. They seemed to do the same thing before the second Test.
“Next man up, we have plenty of good players in this squad and country…there’s plenty of guys waiting in the wings and that’s how they get their opportunity.
“As sad as it is for guys to get injured, it creates an opportunity for the next guy and there’ll be no excuses, we’ll be humming when we get to the ‘G.”
White is looking to cap off his 50th with a victory, almost nine years since he made his debut against the All Blacks in 2013.
In typical White fashion, getting the job done for the team remained on the forefront over any individual milestone.
“For a long time there, I didn’t think I’d get to this point,” White admitted.
“It’s not something I’ve thought about that much, We’re in the process of trying to win the Ella-Mobbs Cup. My mind fully on the job at hand and preparing for a big Test match at the SCG.
“Individual milestones are nice but they’re for the individual so we’re in the mix of getting the job for the team and Australia.”
