Eddie Jones will tap into the expertise of Australia’s ORICA-GreenEDGE cycling team as he continues plotting England’s ascension to world rugby’s top ranking.
The Australian-born England coach will head to the world’s premier annual cycling event, the Tour de France, in the next couple of weeks.
“I’ve had a few conversations and I’m getting to have a look at what they do,” Jones said.
“I’ve got to get better because if our side is not consistent then our coaching is not good enough.”
Jones has no intention of taking his foot off the pedal after a whirlwind first season in charge, which has delivered a Six Nations title and a series sweep of the Wallabies in Australia.
“As soon as you take it off, you get weak and we can’t afford to get weak because we want to be stronger,” Jones said.
“We want to be the number one team in the world and we’re miles away from that, so we’ve got to keep improving.”
Jones gave short shrift to the suggestion that the whitewash of the Wallabies would feel particularly sweet given his sacking from the Australian coaching post in 2005.
“I haven’t even thought about it, it’s so long ago now,” Jones said.
“I’ve coached in three different countries since then, that hasn’t got a great significance.”
Jones said his team hadn’t got five World XV calibre players yet, but inside centre Owen Farrell and No.8 Billy Vunipola were moving in the right direction.
He nominated prop Dan Cole as a player who had improved and stood out on the tour.
Jones said Cole, whose scrummaging technique was questioned by former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer, had done exceptionally well after being criticised at last year’s World Cup.
He wasn’t fussed his world No.2 ranked side wasn’t scheduled to play long-term leader New Zealand in the near future.
“I’d be happy to play the All Blacks tomorrow,” Jones said.
He praised his assistants, including skills coach Glen Ella, but couldn’t guarantee the former Wallabies fullback would retain the position.
“I’ll sit down with him, I’ll sit down with the players,” Jones said.
“We’ll work it out, whether he’s the right guy to continue.”
Jones shied away from commenting on whether Australia’s improved attacking performance on Saturday meant they were heading in the right direction.
“I’m not going to talk about Australia, I’ll let them work it out themselves,” Jones said.
The England mentor felt it wasn’t fair that his players hadn’t had a break since last June.
“They should be sitting on a beach in Barbados now,” Jones said.
Gilbert
Guest
He wished they'd play the ABs tomorrow.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
He assistants & consultants were all available to Cheika Joe. It's a global game & intellectual property is up for sale.
wardad
Guest
I dont think McCaw will be helping Eddie Jones to sneak the poms into number one spot anytime soon .And I really dont think Jones would want his poms to be playing the ABs anytime let alone tomorrow else their new found confidence may well end up in the toilet .Again.
Sam
Guest
No I don't think that's fair or reasonable. The likes of Ella and Johns are consultants and professionals. They're available to anyone who asks, for a fee. I'm disappointed that Cheika hasn't approached the likes of Andrew Johns work on our halves problems.
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
Why Orica Green Edge ......? Being an honoury Pom Eddie would be better served tapping into the all conquering British Sky team who have revolutionized cycling via the Tour de France .
Loup
Guest
Eddie is showing how it's done, and Cheika should really be paying attention. Cheika needs to surround himself with more expertise. He's ok at it, but Eddie really takes it to another level. Players are deficient in skills, and the physicality/fitness of some players is suboptimal. Balance needs to be restored. For example, since Hooper is weak over the ball and great at everything else, all players need to skill up so they offer more of a pilfering threat at the breakdown.
Joe Blow
Guest
How about he stops tapping into Australian resources and checks in with the UK darts champions or something like that? I mean fair go, he is not coaching Australia but is coaching a foreign side to beat Australia. Do not help him if you are Australian. Glen Ella, George Smith, Joey Johns etc all hang your heads in shame.
redbull
Guest
Do the RFU really want to get into blood doping?
Gilbert
Guest
He got George Smith to improve the loosies. Spent time with Pep Guardiola and Bayern Munich. Who knows, maybe he'll tap into McCaw and Graham Henry next. Watch out world rugby, the man is on a mission.
taylorman
Guest
Think this is one of the biggest differences between Jones and Cheika. Despite being almost a self confessed loner in this game, he sure has been 'tapping in'. In fact he's tapping in all over the place. First with his selection of captain in trying to extract whatever he saw in Hartley as a leader, then the likes of Glen Ella and Andrew Johns, now this. Where Cheika has just gone on with what hes got, thinking he can manage it all himself. Nothing flash, nothing new. I think his experiences with jake White, Japan etc has taught him to be more inclusive of others in the coaching game and his use of people to get his results is proving impressive. Eddie 'Tapping in' Jones. :-)