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Wallabies turn thoughts to England
BORDEAUX, 29 September -
The dust had barely settled on Australia's 37-6 victory over Canada on Saturday before the Wallabies had begun looking ahead to next weekend's quarter-final with England.
Australia coach John Connolly was hardly given time to address the pros and cons of his team's final Pool B victory at the post-match press conference before the questions turned to England and the IRB Rugby World Cup 2003 grand final rematch.
''I said before the tournament that England would be a threat to anyone and that hasn't changed,'' said Connolly, who fielded a largely second-string side against Canada.
''With their strength at the scrum and line-out and their pace outside, England will cause any side problems.''
However, Australia's six-tries-to-none victory may have come at a price as experienced number 8 David Lyons was forced to leave the field early in the second half with an ankle injury.
''David's ankle is pretty sore at the moment, but we don't yet know the full extent of the injury,'' Connolly said.
Record-breaker
Wing Drew Mitchell claimed two of Australia's six tries to become the tournament's leading try-scorer with seven and, in the process, provide Connolly with something of a selection headache for the game against England.
Connolly had been expected to start with Adam Ashley-Cooper in that match but he may be forced to think again.
In claiming his seventh touchdown - both his tries came in the space of two minutes midway through the second half - Mitchell set a new record for Australia, overhauling David Campese's record of six tries, which he set in RWC 1991.
''Drew took his two tries superbly and played very well,'' Connolly said.
Canuck pride
Canada competed bravely, as they always do, but for the first time in their proud history leave a world cup without a win to their name.
''I think the future for Canadian rugby looks bright and if you look at our improvement over the last 15 or 16 months I'm very pleased. Our mission now is to get rugby really firing in North America,'' said Canada coach Ric Suggitt.
It was also the last international for Canadian stalwarts Morgan Williams, the captain and scrum half, second row Mike James and prop Rod Snow.
''We're hoping to get these three players involved with Canadian rugby in some administrative capacity,'' added Suggitt.