England coach Eddie Jones has fired a barb at Michael Cheika before boarding his flight to Australia, accusing the Wallabies coach of playing mind games ahead of the three-Test series.
Jones and the English squad land in Brisbane early on Thursday morning, ahead of the series opener at Suncorp Stadium on June 11.
The chirpy Jones has had been trying to antagonise the Wallabies for weeks – but Cheika, his former teammate at Sydney club Randwick, isn’t biting, this week declaring he would leave his players to throw his “grenades” for him.
Ex-Wallabies coach Jones said catching up with Cheika – who is in camp on the Sunshine Coast with a bulging 39-man squad that will be trimmed to 30 late on Friday – for a beer at some point during the series wasn’t on his agenda.
“At the moment, Cheik’s got smoke and mirrors everywhere,” Jones told The Australian.
“I wouldn’t pay any credence to what he’s saying at the moment.
“The new, mellow Cheik has a lot of deception about him, so let’s just wait and see.”
Former Wallaby mentor Jones is expecting a “hostile” reception upon his return his homeland, but warned there were weaknesses in the Australian side England aim to expose.
“There’s definitely weaknesses in the Australian team, like any team,” he said.
“There’s weaknesses in the All Black team. But you’ve got to be good enough to be able to explore them.
“The way the Wallabies defend, they give you a very good chance to get at them and that’s something we’ll be looking at very closely.”
England, outsiders to claim a first-ever series win on Australian soil, will begin training at the team’s base at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast over the weekend.
Lara
Guest
Love the grenade into Cheika's defence plan.....another cheeky comment....let the games begin.
Bob Forbes
Guest
Weaknesses......there will always be weaknesses where there are combinations, backs or forwards. Game time helps eliminate possible weaknesses and the Wallabies haven't even picked their team yet. EJ wont spring any surprises with his game plan and Cheika knows that. Ultimately, so much will rest on the shoulders of the Wallaby pack.....if they get the job done....we win, but if England's pack dominates we will certainly have problems....not denying the question of the mid-field.
taylorman
Guest
Yes bound to be at least one 'hey, didnt see that coming...'. If anything from the Super series made an impact on Cheika Kerevis game against the Higlanders and the way the Tahs went through the middle against the Chiefs are two events that could influence Cheika's selections and how he wants to play. The midfield is critical.
Bobby Gibbins
Guest
There are weaknesses in the All Blacks team, you just have to define them.
Ken Cathpole's Other Leg
Guest
Taylorman, your logic looks correct, but Eddie (and us) haven't seen the 23 yet. Eddie can't comment on the WB team because it isnt selected. I expect a good series, and at least some joy for England and their pommie coach. Not too much joy though. Can't wait for the latest Chekselec surprise.
taylorman
Roar Guru
He's right about the defence. That's why they need to stop looking at 12's as playmakers. Against a side like England you need the hard yards through the middle. Jones will drag Oz into the boring world of one ups and there's nothing oz will be able to do about it other than defend, defend and wait for their chances. Kerevi and TK a must for the midfield.
Marius Ciliers
Roar Guru
Just me or is Eddy sweating..ghehhehe Or is he a clever muppet and doing a ruse in a ruse. Never the less. He does make Rugga more entertaining. Its going to be a great tour who ever wins. And that hostile enviroment might not turn out to be so hostile after all. As every one will be to enthralled by both the english and wallabies that 'Bring it' to care.
ebop
Guest
I'll smile if Chieka rubs EJ's mug in dog poop.
Machooka
Roar Guru
"There's definitely weaknesses in the Australian team..." Eddie says. Fair dinkum... the guy's an out and out genius.
CUW
Guest
had PDV been a around , it would have been great entertainment :) Jones has been watching EPL footy too much and following those coaches :P