Not since a Bob Fulton-coached Australia side were upset by England in the 1995 World Cup have the old enemy tasted success against the Kangaroos.
Second-rower Elliott Whitehead admits their dismal record has been discussed during camp in Melbourne this week ahead of the AAMI Park clash.
"It's something we've looked at and as long as we complete on the weekend, we'll be in with a good chance," Whitehead said after the team's captain's run on Thursday.
"There's a lot of belief in this camp. We know we're a good team, we just need to prove that. We've got a good chance tomorrow to do that."
The most recent Australia-England meeting resulted in a decisive 36-18 Kangaroos win during last year's Four Nations tournament, when they poured on five tries after half time.
However England were unlucky not to be awarded a late try in the previous encounter - a 16-12 defeat - at the same venue they play at on Friday.
Assistant coach Denis Betts says the team is well-versed on their history against Australia.
"We know exactly when we lost or won these games, we know exactly when we last played in a World Cup final, we know what Australia done to us in the last 10 years," Bett said.
"Being involved in a World Cup, playing for England means a lot.
"But we're in the now. We can't affect what's happened behind us. What we can affect is what we bring tomorrow and what we bring in this tournament. We want to be in a World Cup final."
Victory would put England in the driver's seat to finish first in their group, meaning a probable quarterfinal against either Samoa or Scotland.
"If you want to win a competition, you've probably got to beat Australia twice," Betts said.
"But we need to get to the final and this is a game we want to win."
Fullback Jonny Lomax (hamstring) and prop Alex Walmsley (virus) have been declared fit.
The match marks the international debut of the powerhouse Walmsley, who travelled to Australia for a mid-year test against Samoa but didn't play.
