Harry rejects Aussie illegal tactics claim

AUSTRALIA captain Harry Wilson has rejected a claim made on the eve of their clash with England that the Wallabies use illegal breakdown tactics.

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A report states that England head coach Steve Borthwick highlighted Australia’s alleged ploy of deliberately entering rucks from the side when he met referee Nika Amashukeli ahead of today's Allianz Stadium showdown.

Player welfare concerns were also raised over the tourists’ approach to clear-outs.

“Firstly, I'd like to question how many are illegal. And to say that they are dangerous - they are definitely not,” Wilson said.

“There's no way (Australia head coach) Joe Schmidt would coach a team to be illegal at the breakdown.

“I think we've had over 2,000 rucks this year and for them to cherry-pick a couple is quite amusing.

“When a team is playing 10 or 11 Tests, any team would have some from the side. We think we are quite good at our attacking breakdown.

“We are pretty excited for the opportunity to go out there and have a fair game.”

England are odds-on favourites to make a winning start to their autumn series but Wilson insists Australia are accustomed to being written off.

The Wallabies may be missing James O'Connor, Len Ikitau, Tom Hooper and Will Skelton due to the match falling outside the international window, but they have a recent history of registering comeback wins against the odds, including at Twickenham 12 months ago.