Clive Woodward has been at the helm of English rugby for five eventful years but, even by his own unpredictable standards, he rocked the boat in extraordinary style yesterday by demanding a clampdown on controversial Southern Hemisphere "blocking" tactics before Australia's visit to Twickenham this weekend.
Woodward had already caused interest in Wallaby circles by omitting Lawrence Dallaglio from his starting line-up but the England head coach soon created fresh waves by issuing a loud call for tougher action from referees to combat the black art of midfield decoy running as demonstrated by New Zealand last Saturday.
Not unlike Sven-Goran Eriksson ushering the world's media into his living-room to demonstrate that Brazil cheat at football, Woodward startled his audience with an unprecedented invitation to England's private meeting room after his team announcement.
There, beneath the chandeliers, he insisted three of the All Blacks' four tries in their 31-28 defeat would have been disallowed in English domestic rugby, heaping pressure on this weekend's referee Paul Honiss, a New Zealander, to stop Australia pulling any similar stunts.
The coach accused the New Zealand centre Tana Umaga of blocking manoeuvres in the lead-up to both of Jonah Lomu's tries. He also warned that his own backs might resort to gamesmanship if the issue is not addressed.
"In eight games against Southern Hemisphere sides we've conceded five tries, yet on Saturday we went out and let in four," said Woodward. "In my opinion three of them would not have been allowed in the Zurich Premiership. What I don't want to do is fly home in 12 months time from a World Cup still whingeing about it. We have to get it cleared up.
"To me it's a huge problem. You've got different referees doing different things and that's too woolly considering what's at stake. We have to have a world game that's operating on the same basis. We're playing to a different set of rules over here and we got caught out badly at the weekend."
Deliberate obstruction of an opponent is illegal in rugby but a significant grey area exists when attacking runners obscure the defence's view of the ball. Decoy runners are allowed but "blockers" who stand no chance of receiving the ball are not.
Woodward, concerned that England may get exposed again, is sufficiently worried to have sent videos featuring both New Zealand and Australia to Honiss. He met the official in person last night and, if diplomacy does not work, he will be asking his players to go down like a sack of potatoes if a Wallaby decoy player infiltrates the English defensive line.
"If they see contact, referees blow," said Woodward. "We've got to milk it and be more streetwise even if it's not quite in the spirit of the game."
Australia, of course, can spot a psychological ploy miles away and would not rise to the bait last night. Eddie Jones, the Wallabies' coach, said he agreed with the broad thrust of Woodward's arguments but pointedly added that he would also be asking Honiss to keep a close eye on English obstruction at the lineout.
With Dallaglio dropped, Neil Back reclaims the openside flanker's position with Richard Hill switching to number eight. The only other change to the side which defeated the All Blacks comes in the second row where Ben Kay replaces Danny Grewcock.
Meanwhile, fullback Christian Cullen has been recalled by All Blacks coach John Mitchell as he reshuffles his backline for Saturday's meeting with in-form France in Paris.
Outhalf Andrew Mehrtens and scrumhalf Danny Lee, who came on as replacements against England, will also start. Mehrtens comes in for the injured Carlos Spencer while Lee, who scored New Zealand's final try against England, replaces Steve Devine who drops to the bench.
France have kept faith with the side that defeated South Africa 30-10 last Saturday.
South Africa coach Rudolph Straeuli has made 10 changes to the side which lost to France as the Springboks bid to bounce back against Scotland on Saturday.
FRANCE: N Brusque, V Clerc, D Traille, T Castaignede, C Heymans, F Gelez, F Galthie, J-J Crenca, R Ibanez, P De Villiers, O Brouzet, F Pelous, S Betsen, O Magne, I Harinordoquy. Replacements: S Marconnet, J-B Rue, T Privat, S Chabal, D Yachvili, G Merceron, X Garbajosa.
NEW ZEALAND: C Cullen; D Howlett, T Umaga, M Robinson, J Lomu; A Mehrtens; D Lee; J McDonnell, A Hore, K Meeuws, A Williams, B Mika, T Randell, M Holah, S Broomhall. Replacements: K Mealamu, C Hayman, K Robinson, R So'oialo, S Devine, P Steinmetz, B Blair.
SOUTH AFRICA: W Greeff; B Paulse, M Joubert, R Fleck, F Lombard; B James, J Conradie, W Roux, L Van Biljon, D Carstens, M Wentzel, J Labuschange, C Krige, P Uys, J Van Niekerk. Replacements: to be named.
