The pound is down, but Eddie Jones reckons rugby’s stocks are rising in England and Australia after his side exploited Wallabies’ weaknesses they identified in a “cracker” series.
England clinched a 3-0 clean sweep with a 44-40 victory in Saturday night’s rollercoaster third Test in Sydney which included nine tries and six lead changes.
“It was a fantastic series wasn’t it?” said Australian-born England coach Jones.
“Three really cracker games, that’s brought rugby more into the sports landscape in Australia.
“I’m sure people in England maybe are talking a little less about the pound devaluing and more about the value of the England rugby side going up.”
Jones had talked up the prospect of a series whitewash even before it started.
“I’m the the eternal optimist and there was weaknesses in the Australian side we identified, so we thought could get them in various areas,” Jones said.
“We were able to do that to some extent, so the possibility of us winning 3-0 was always very strong.”
Jones wasn’t prepared to divulge what Wallabies weaknesses they identified, saying only: “They are a well-coached side, they’ll work it out for themselves.”
He said the series sweep was a significant achievement but represented just a small step for England.
Jones will demand more consistency, especially in defence where his side leaked four tries in game one and five in the final contest, while conceding just one in the middle clash.
“If we’re going to be the best side in the world, which we’re aiming to be, we’ve got to be much more consistent and we’ll work very hard to get that,” he said.
Jones thought there was still room for improvement in star inside centre Owen Farrell, whose goalkicking he described as “solar system”-class after he finished the series with 66 points and missed just three of 26 kicks.
“Being a top-class rugby player is about being consistent in your application and making good decision and what he’s doing is making a lot of good decisions,” Jones said.
“There’s still some more consistency in his skill application, but that will come.”
While some Wallabies fans had a crack at Jones on Saturday he described the atmosphere as “good fun.”
“They’ve all been at the Olympic Hotel before (the game), fuelling up,” quipped Jones, who still hoped to have a beer with Wallabies coach and former teammate Michael Cheika.
“It’s been a pleasure to be in Australia. Obviously being an Australian, I’m always grateful to Australia for what they’ve done for me for rugby, but certainly nice beating them 3-0.”
Vic rugby
Guest
Lol yes that's the stuff supporters of other nation's visit the roar comments for. Wallabies lost. Dry your eyes you're embarrassing yourself
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Every side has weaknesses. Eddie never said the side had a number of obvious weaknesses. He just said he thought he saw an opportunity to beat them. He did.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well you can fault the effort. They conceded 44 points and missed more tackles than they did in either previous test. You will rarely win a tier 1 international based on that.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No. I just take objection to hateful bile being spewed at people for daring to try and be successful in their career.
moaman
Roar Guru
Nah. 'Fraid you are going to have to dumb it down for me, mate. And was it a 'jibe' I am looking for --or a 'gibe'? I don't do 'subtle'.(Didn't go to a Private School, like you).
Antoni
Guest
Well, you just confirmed it. You really can't see the jibe? I will give you a clue in terms you may understand. Pretend it is immediately after the 2015 win in Sydney: Coach: "I always thought that the Wallabies had a good chance of defeating the All Blacks in this game. The ABs have some weaknesses which we thought the Wallabies would be able to exploit." Journalist: Can you tell us what those weaknesses are? Coach: "They are a well coached side, so should be able to work it out themselves." Further hint: Would a well coached side have obvious weaknesses?
Tatah
Guest
Have to agree. It was quite a gracious interview I thought.
Cynical Play
Guest
Thanks for chiming in 'guru'. No one allowed to express a view on the forum except you it seems. Had to laugh..you calling anyone petulant. Stick to reporting the stats, Rain-man.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Let it go. He's not a traitor for taking a job somewhere when he was unwanted here. You sound like a petulant child.
Cynical Play
Guest
Agree BBA. The Wallabies genuinely played well in game 3. You can't fault the effort and 40 points scored. Panic would be over-reaction though considered change is needed, including in the coaching approach. NZ is a different beast. The player and coach head-kicking from some on the forum reflects the gut-wrenching feeling of losing, but perspective is needed here. This wasn't a bad WB effort, though we were outplayed and out-coached. What has been exposed is the enduring lack of WB depth. THIS is the biggest ball-and-chain around the WB aankle, as it has been for years. THIS is what ENGLAND have fixed with their enormous funds and growing academy system and I suspect they will be the No 1 team in Europe now for some time. Depth !! Player choice !!
BBA
Guest
It is possible that Eddie Jones may have learnt from his past experiences, theoretically if the coach is still able to learn he should get better with age. I think Graham Henry and Steve Hanson benefited from there experiences in Wales and more so for not succeeding there. I am sure Eddie Jones learnt from his failures too. I also think that Cheika will learn as well. Although unpleasant this is not the worst year to have a slap in the face, and the areas of improvements are obvious even if the solution is not (fix the scrum and teams will score a lot less points against them, and their backline will get more opportunities, as well as better field and place kicking). While the victors get the spoils Aus played well in the last game and it took something special from England for them to win. Rugby watchers were the winner, and unfortunately someone has to lose but the Wallabies did it with honor.
moaman
Roar Guru
Read it twice and still can't find the "jibe". Or 'gibe'. Maybe Antoni is right about my comprehension skills?
Cynical Play
Guest
Eddie The Ego may be "grateful" to Australia but he is no longer a welcome 'son'. Him and Ella can get a room in Putney and pat themselves on the back for eternity. Just stay away. One thing is for sure, Eddie has a long memory and just proved revenge is best served cold. I also think England will tire of his 'personality' after he loses a few.
Chivas
Guest
Unlike most Australian coaches.... I would say that was a big fat miss by Chieka. The previous guy collapsed on his own sword and the one before that got run out of town... I would say Eddoe is standard issue for an Australian coach
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Jones has always been a hit and miss coach to me. His teams can certainly win the odd series but not able to sustain a high level of performance long term. I guess the players get sick of his personality and it will be interesting to see how many seasons he can last in England.