Post by Taxigirl on Nov 21, 2003 10:53:41 GMT
England coach Clive Woodward has brushed off yet more Pommie bashing down under.
A tabloid has called on Wallaby fans to create noise outside England's team hotel in an effort to stop the players from sleeping before Saturday's Rugby World Cup final.
And Woodward has had to contend with calls that his side are "blatant law abusers" from former Australia coach Bob Dwyer.
"What will be will be," said the England coach on the eve of the Sydney showpiece.
The ever-optimistic Woodward brushed off the stunt, backed by Australia's Daily Telegraph, with his usual dry wit.
"It was pretty noisy last night to be fair," he said. "I could hear a few people outside shouting 'boring, boring'.
"I was in bed with my wife at the time. Fortunately I realised what they were trying to say to me from the road below.
"I'm sure there'll be some good natured banter but I don't think we're going to lose a Test match if someone's sleep is disrupted."
It is Woodward's laconic attitude to all that has been thrown at his squad in recent weeks that has got under the skin of his hosts more than anything.
And he again refused to be riled by allegations of cheating.
Dwyer, Australia's 1991 World Cup-winning coach, called on Saturday's referee Andre Watson to come down hard on England slowing down play illegally at the tackle area.
"The tactic they've grown into is a great strategy but a blatant abuse of the law," said Dwyer.
Woodward is confident Watson will not be influenced by the comments.
"He's a very experienced referee and both camps know he will be watching and that if we do anything illegal we're going to lose the game," Woodward said.
And the England coach is pleased it is only Dwyer and a band of ex-Wallaby players who have cranked up the pre-match criticism, not opposite number Eddie Jones.
"This wasn't the week to have verbals with any players or coaches - it's too big an event," he added.
"In terms of other people speaking, Bob Dwyer's a well-respected person and he's going to say what he likes.
"So will everybody else - Nick Farr-Jones, John Eales, you name it, but I don't think for one minute Eddie's on the phone trying to orchestrate it."
Woodward also revealed he had received words of support from Six Nations rivals Ireland and Wales.
Woodward's Irish counterpart Eddie O'Sullivan and Welsh team manager Alan Phillips both sent good luck messages.
"Their support in wanting England to win is totally and utterly genuine," Woodward said. "To receive those messages has been excellent."