Australia coach John Connolly has cut through all the feuding surrounding the World Cup quarter final encounter against England here next Saturday.

He insists he does not hate England, in direct contrast to the comments of Australian RFU chief executive John O'Neill.

He claims it is ``just another Test match.'' And says he always knew England would reach the quarter-finals even when they were humiliated 36-0 by South Africa.

He stopped short of saying it was a good idea to fly the flag of St George on Sydney Harbour Bridge but it was a remarkable attempt at rapprochement from a man who once earned his living at Bath.

Yet England should not be fooled.

Connolly also insisted there was no chance of complacency in his side who completed their Pool B matches with a routine 37-6 win against Canada on Saturday, which was marred by an injury to number eight David Lyons, who limped from the field in the second half and after X-rays was later revealed to have broken his left leg.

The Wallabies currently also have Stephen Larkham (knee), Stirling Mortlock (shoulder) and Scott Staniforth (shoulder) sidelined.

Connolly said: ``We haven't yet thought about a replacement but we do have the option to bring someone else across.''

Australia are firm favourites with the bookies to avenge their defeat by England in the World Cup final four years ago.

Connolly said: ``It's something we've been waiting four years for. There's no complacency. Whether it's a fear of losing I'm not sure. It's a quarter final, it doesn't matter who we're playing we'd have the same mindset. It just happens to be England.

``We said before the tournament started we would have felt more comfortable against South Africa than against England. We know South Africa - and England have a number of threats.

``But, for us, whether it's England, South Africa or France it makes no difference.

``When we play the All Blacks that means a lot to Australia, when we play the Springboks that means a lot and the same with England. Every Test match is important.

``I'm sure they're aware of our weaknesses and we know theirs.''

Many of England's were on show in their mauling by the Springboks but Connolly
insists that will mean nothing when it comes to kick-off time in the Stade Velodrome.

He said: ``We always thought they (England) would beat Samoa and Tonga on the
back of their lineout. The Springboks stuck everything up in the air, chased, bashed and England didn't handle it as well as they could have, but they have another shot at it.''

Connolly is not a man for over-elaboration and when asked directly if he hated England he replied simply: ``No.''

It was a sentiment supported by full-back Chris Latham, who weighed in with a try on Saturday and then dismissed, as he would, the relevance of Jonny Wilkinson's famous drop kick to win the Webb Ellis trophy.

He said: ``2003 was 2003. We've moved on and we've got to go on to greater things.

``We're looking forward to the quarter final. It is a great challenge for us. We have got to do our homework on England.

``As the tournament has gone on they have started to perform better.

``We need to be on our game. If we give them any momentum they'll grow as a team. But you have to show respect for the opposition, if you don't you are setting up your own downfall.''

Meanwhile, Aussie wing Drew Mitchell became the first Australian to score seven tries at a World Cup, overtaking David Campese's six in 1991, when he crossed twice in his side's win against Canada.

But he is still not sure of his place against England.

``If I am not picked, I will keep trying hard and support the guys playing.England are a great side and they are world champions at the moment and we are up against it.''