This week Brisbane recorded its lowest maximum daily temperature for 22 years as a cold snap swept across the usually balmy state of Queensland. It did not last long and, with sunshine and clear blue skies having reappeared ready for the second Test, England can expect a distinctly warm Wallabies welcome inside the atmospheric cauldron of Suncorp Stadium.
Amid all the focus on England’s rotating tombola of a selection policy, the quiet progress Australia have made under Dave Rennie, their calm, well-organised New Zealander coach, has generated rather fewer column inches. Despite a raft of injuries there is now increasing depth in his squad and they are also back at their favourite venue, scene of 10 straight Test wins since 2016.
