Australia's win over the All Blacks made the northern nations' task in the autumn internationals look much, much harder. The Guardian's Rob Kitson writes.
"The trouble with southern-hemisphere teams is that they never stand still. England's rugby players awoke on Saturday morning feeling pretty good about themselves after a productive week's training, cautiously optimistic about what might lie ahead. And now? Let's just say that Australia's breathless 26-24 victory over New Zealand in Hong Kong has not so much raised the bar as pole-vaulted the autumn visitors into a different league.
It was less the result that will bother Martin Johnson as the nature of the game. The All Blacks never need a second invitation to pile into the old country, although the loss of their 15-Test unbeaten record will certainly sting a bit. Australia also have every incentive to stick it to the Poms on Saturday week. No, it was the pace and intensity of the contest which will have struck Johnson straight between those famous brows. If both touring sides keep that up at Twickenham, it could be a chastening fortnight.
This is not to say that England – or Wales, Scotland and Ireland – should abandon all hope and prepare for ritual floggings over the next month. There is every reason to believe that the English, in particular, are in better shape than 12 months ago. The November weather and softer pitches are also a frequent leveller. But what was evident in Hong Kong is that the Wallabies and the All Blacks are committed to making a bold statement, 10 months out from the World Cup. Get it right now, Graham Henry and Robbie Deans are urging, and the benefits will be felt throughout 2011."
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