Eddie Jones compares the praise England have received from New Zealand coach Steve Hansen to the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood being deceived by the wolf.
Hansen congratulated the RBS 6 Nations champions for retaining their title by overwhelming Scotland 61-21, despite seeing the All Blacks’ record of 18 successive Test wins equalled at Twickenham on Saturday.
The mastermind of the 2015 World Cup triumph insisted England are finally fulfilling their potential, playing the “sort of rugby people want to see”, and offered Jones the message of “well done, champ. It’s thoroughly deserved, well done”.
In a frustrating quirk of the international fixture list, the game’s top two teams are being kept apart until autumn 2018 when a seismic showdown is to be staged at Twickenham.
Jones is wary of Hansen’s approval, however, as the rival coaches exchange words for the first time since England’s rise as a genuine threat to New Zealand’s global dominance.
“It’s a bit like red riding hood and the wolf when the wolf comes dressed up as the grandmother…..” Jones said.
“You always have to be careful when All Black coaches compliment you, you always have to be careful.”
If Ireland are toppled in Dublin on Saturday, as well eclipsing the All Blacks’ 18-Test milestone Dylan Hartley’s men will become only the sixth team to complete back-to-back Grand Slams.
The seven-try scattering of Scotland – the best attacking display under Jones – has powered England towards the finishing line, but it took a “cleansing” discussion involving the entire squad and coaches a fortnight ago to reignite the champions after an unconvincing first half of the tournament.
“We had a bit of a cleansing meeting when we were in camp in Oxford,” Jones said. “It was about accepting that we’ve been successful. To me the English are quite reserved and they actually struggle quite a bit with success.
“As an Australian I think the English are very polite and reserved. And they struggle to actually carry that success around.
“What we said, and we had a great discussion, is that we have to acknowledge we’ve been successful and it’s how much we want to be great now.”
Old Bugger
Guest
Mike So, EJ comes in at rock bottom, with no other direction to go but upwards while Hansen, comes in at the top and takes the side, to even greater achievements notwithstanding another RWC win but in the process, defeating every side, ranked in the top 10 rankings. How about, we just wait for another season to find out if EJ's coaching, can take his side to defeat the No 1 ranked side that for your information, was ranked No1 prior to and still is, when EJ and his team started, this winning run. So, it's a darn pity that EJ and his team, won't have any opportunity to show their skills, anytime this year.
JimmyB
Guest
Err ok then.
JimmyB
Guest
I agree mate. I wasn't overly happy when Eddie was appointed but he's done a great job so far and seems to know where he's going.
Mike Julz
Guest
Out of the two coaches I think Eddie is a better rugby coach. He transformed this England side to new heights, Hansen just have the luxury of great and better rugby players. Any coach would have a similar success with this All Blacks.
R2D2
Guest
A week before Twitters .
richard
Guest
No worries.FWIW,many of us here in NZ are very impressed with what we have seen of England since EJ took over.They are a massive threat to any team going forward. Only a fool would think otherwise.
JimmyB
Guest
When?
R2D2
Guest
England should grace Eden Park.
JimmyB
Guest
Richard apologies if you thought I was being aggressive, it certainly wasn't my intention. As I said mate, I'm sort of at peace with how the English are regarded.
richard
Guest
No,Jimmy,I wasn't being disingenuous. -I am genuine.I just don't get why you have to be so aggressive, btw,try being a kiwi rugby fan - we cop it every which way,but you know what,at the end of the day its just banter.Nothing to get worked up about.But you seem to take offence at even the littlest perceived slight. Brush it off,you will be better for it.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Hansen and before him Henry have known this for years. Gush over your opposition and they have nothing to pin anything on. In fact excess gush is even better. Tell them they're better than they are. What do you do with that as an opposition coach...obviously, as Jones has done, make something up...mention little red riding hood, a conspiracy!y, anything. That way both could be being completely honest, or both could be playing their little games. The point is you don't actually know, and it's a square off. Agree with your point on the opposite though...Ewan's famous 'hope you bring your A game' ...to Eden park of all places, a pearler! That's right out of the 'what not to say' book of coaching.
Hello Everybody.
Guest
Wow. What a bunch of comments! Anyway....Jones is very astute and hes good at motivating his team. Thats all hes doing, keeping their feet on the ground and staying frosty. Why make friends with the team you are gunning for? I think Hansen was genuine but I also think it will pay for Eddie to keep the team from complacency. The ABs would win 7/10 I reckon, at least but the English team are quality and will get better. I also think NZ will improve with R.Ioane, D.McKenzie, A.Savea, D.Bird and N.Laulala 5 players I think will come of age before the 2 teams meet in 2018.
JimmyB
Guest
AK, read Jim's post below. Sort of makes my point for me.
JimmyB
Guest
Hey Nudge, what are you doing over here? Mate, we're not all bad, but I'll give you David the Pom, he's our equivalent of Jake. ;)
JimmyB
Guest
Well AK I wasn't sneering but how apt that you should use that term. People are welcome to read whatever they wish. I happen to live in Australia, I hope it's ok that I frequent the Roar. And no you can't borrow my consensometer, I suspect you might break it. :) Btw, are you saying that I'm wrong regarding the general feeling towards poms regardless of the reasons?
Eduardo Kawak
Guest
I was thinking the same thing. In his analogy, Eddie (and England) is a little girl.
Chris
Guest
JIMMY B is right there is a clear dislike to almost hatred for the English over here, you just have to read articles and comments from the Roar writers and comments by many an Aussie fan then you know straightaway that there is a clear dislike of all things English, also read comments and articles about England on Stuff.co.nz it's the same, all embarrassingly xenophobic. You guys can deny all you like but that's just facts. Not that the English give a monkeys at all but to deny it is to be in denial. As for this supposed English arrogance I have not seen it certainly from this current English crop who are well schooled by Lancaster to be gracious always. EJ may come up with a few headliners but that's just him not an English voice. Really this so called English arrogance is really a myth that you guys seem to believe, can anyone give me an example or quote from this current English crop that reflects this so called English arrogance I would dare any of you to find one example. If the All Blacks come up with a headline we are the best team in the history of sport which is a big stretch and ridiculous thing to say if you know your sport then they are not called arrogant but if England say we want to be the best team in world rugby then there is a barrage of "arrogant English" etc from all of you. That there proves everything i say really, the reality is that everybody over here can't really stand a very strong England team, once England start doing well everybody will be looking for negatives only. Apparently from many of you England don't deserve this winning record and are lucky, or the opposition is weaker etc or whatever. According to many of you England were going to be whitewashed by Australia but we knie ehst happend there, then tbey were going to be beaten bu France, then by wales, then by Scotland last week which many of you were predicting but wr knie what happened there. Also apparently irland where going yo win the grandslam and now apparently England are going to be smashed by Ireland next week, I say keep talking. You guys now really have to face up to the reality this England team is going nowhere and will only get better and better. No one voice from within the English camp is saying England are now world beaters or are better than the All Blacks but they continually get accused of having said this. As for Hansen praising England I think that's to be taken with a pinch of salt really, a kiwi praising England seriously!
FunBus
Roar Rookie
There is only one thing we can be sure of. Whatever Hansen or Jones do or do not say won't matter a toss when the sides eventually play. Both are far too experienced to let the other 'get in their head', and the players are probably oblivious to it anyway.
Jim
Guest
Hansen can't lose in this situation. With the all blacks as world champions and the number one team in the world, coming across as humble and respectful gives the opposition nothing. Whichever way Eddie reacts to the comments, New Zealand will take advantage, psychologically. Think of it like this, if you praise the all blacks they feed off the weakness, and it boosts their performance, re affirming what they say about themselves anyway. If you criticise or sledge them, they use the perceived disrespect as motivation to smash the opposition. It's lose lose for Eddie, and he knows it. So why not just be the Pom that everyone loves to hate? Oh wait he is an Aussie...
Nudge
Guest
That's the thing Jimmy, if the English weren't front runners and rocked up on the roar when they are winning but more importantly losing as well they'd be given a whole lot more respect. Also, in the cricket section as soon as the Aussies are going poorly, mountains of Poms rock up to give it to us. Have a look after the Aussies have been super competitive in India and not a Pom in sight. Front running. You're the exception I will say.