Nowell wants to finish on a high

By Mark Stevens
25/6/2016

Jack Nowell wants England to finish the job off in style when they face Australia in Saturday’s final test in Sydney.

The Exeter Chiefs star has helped Eddie Jones’ side record a first-ever series win Down Under with victories in Brisbane and Melbourne, but now the Red Rose country are setting their sights on a third success at the Allianz Stadium.

The Cornishman will line up in an England side that shows one change to that which triumphed 28-7 a week ago. Into the side comes Northampton Saints flanker Teimana Harrison, who replaces the injured James Haskell.

Australia, meanwhile, have made three changes to their starting line-up with Leicester-bound Matt Toomua replacing Samu Kerevi at inside centre, while up front Will Skelton partners Rob Simmonds in the second row, meaning locks Rory Arnold and Sam Carter.

On the bench, Greg Holmes - who will join the Chiefs later this summer - is again included, but former Exeter skipper Dean Mumm has been omitted having featured in the first two games.

For Nowell, though, the chance to create more history this weekend is something that he and the England team are clearly keen to seize.

“It’s a massive opportunity for all of us,” said the 23-year-old. “We’ve already won the first two games and the series effectively, but as a group we now want to finish the job in style by winning this third test.

“Eddie has instilled into all of us a real belief that we achieve great things together and since then we’ve just looked to build on what we achieved during the Six Nations.”

In what was a physically demanding defensive display in Melbourne a week ago, Nowell has recovered sufficiently to again line-up on the wing for this final test match.

“It was a pretty brutal game [in Melbourne], but that is what you expect at this level,” added Nowell. “We knew Australia were going to throw everything at us, especially having lost that opening test, but to a man we all stood up and produced an unbelievable performance.”

Nowell knows England will need to produce an equally stellar showing this weekend to repel the threat of the Wallabies, who have made no secret of the fact that they want to gain a semblance of revenge.

“We’re expecting them to come at us hard,” warned the Exeter star. “It’s England versus Australia at the end of the day and there is always a huge rivalry between the two countries. We’ve prepared well again this week and Eddie has told us all to just do what we’ve been doing, improve on one or two things and just show them what we’re all about.

“It’s worked pretty well so far, so the aim is just to do the same again on Saturday and finish the tour on a high note.”

Joining Nowell on the tour have been club-mates Henry Slade and Luke Cowan-Dickie (pictured), the latter of whom had his own taste of action in the opening test, coming on for skipper Dylan Hartley in Brisbane.

For all three Exeter players the experience of featuring on a summer tour will be invaluable, even if game has been somewhat lacking for some of them.

“I’m sure Sladey and Dickey will learn a lot from the whole experience of being out here,” continued Nowell. “Obviously every player wants to play in every game, but they are part of the group and I’ve no doubt over time they will get their chance.”

The Exeter trio will fly back to the UK with the England squad on Sunday before then embarking on a much-needed rest following a hectic season, both for club and country.

“It’s been a long old year, especially adding in the World Cup and the Six Nations,” said Nowell. “It will be good to have a bit of time off now and let the body relax a little bit. At the same time, though, I’m looking forward to next season as well.

“The Chiefs had an unbelievable year and getting to the Premiership final was obviously the highlight for us all. It will be good to back amongst the boys again and hopefully we can go well again next season on  all fronts.”