Since Eddie Jones took over as England coach in early 2016, the men in white have won 23 of their 24 internationals as well as capturing back-to-back Six-Nations titles.
Their only loss was to Ireland 13-9 last year, but England’s 95.8 per cent win rate makes Jones the most successful coach in world rugby.
The missing link are the All Blacks.
England hasn’t played them since November 2014 at Twickenham, when they lost 24-21.
But England has stitched up the rest of the world’s top ten under Jones, with the exception of Ireland, where the count is 1-1.
Against the Wallabies it’s 5-0, against the Pumas 3-0, Wales 2-0, Scotland 2-0, France 2-0, the Boks 1-0, and Fiji 1-0.
Since the 2015 Rugby World Cup the world’s top ten performances have been:
1 – England under the 58-year-old Jones – played 24, won 23 – 95.8 per cent.
2 – All Blacks – Steve Hansen (58) – 28, 25 – 89.28.
3 – Ireland – Joe Schmidt (52) – 24, 16 – 66.67.
4 – Scotland – Vern Cotter (56) – 22, 13 – 59.09.
5 – Fiji – John McKee (56) – 13, 7 – 53.85.
6 – Wales – Warren Gatland (54) – 25, 13 – 52.00
7 – Wallabies – Michael Cheika (50) – 29, 15 – 51.72.
8 – Boks – Allister Coetzee (54) – 25, 11 – 44.00.
9 – France – Guy Noves (64) – 22, 7 – 31.81.
10 – Pumas – Daniel Hourcade (59) – 25, 5 – 20.00.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
But those stats don’t marry with the world rankings:
1 – All Blacks – 93.99.
2 – England – 90.87.
3 – Ireland – 86.86.
4 – Wallabies – 85.49.
5 – Boks – 83.81.
6 – Wales – 83.43.
7 – Scotland – 82.79.
8 – Pumas – 78.22.
9 – Fiji – 77.93.
10 – France – 77.62.
Those rankings won’t vary too much by September next year when the Rugby World Cup kicks off in Japan, with the possible exception of France.
The groups for the tournament tell an interesting tale.
Pool A
Ireland
Scotland
Japan
Europe 1
Play-off winner
Pool B
All Blacks
Boks
Italy
Africa 1
Repercharge winner
Pool C
England
France
Pumas
USA
Tonga
Pool D
Wallabies
Wales
Georgia
Fiji
Uruguay
Pool C is the kiss of death, and the draw favours the Wallabies in the bottom half, with both the All Blacks and England in the top half.
With that in mind, this is what the quarter-finals will end up looking like:
Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D
England v Wales
Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A
All Blacks v Scotland
Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C
Wallabies v France
Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B
Ireland v Boks.
The semi-finals:
Winner QF1 v winner QF2
England v All Blacks.
Winner QF3 v winner QF4
Wallabies v Ireland.
And then a repeat of the 2015 decider in the final:
Final
All Blacks v Wallabies.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Having made the prediction of an All Blacks-Wallabies decider, the two semis could so easily go the other way for an England-Ireland final.
The key will be Eddie Jones.
Jones has made a career out of raising the performance bar of his troops starting with the Brumbies’ first Super Rugby title, taking the Wallabies to the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, assistant coaching the Boks to win the 2007 tournament, and coaching Japan to the greatest boilover in history by beating the Boks in the opening round of the 2015 edition with a try on the final hooter.
On his current watch, he has instilled enormous belief in his England squad that was gutted when they missed the 2015 Rugby World Cup play-offs as host.
He has also lifted the individual skills to the point where it would be fair to say they believe they are invincible.
That belief won’t be genuinely tested until their first clash with the All Blacks, which is scheduled for November 10 this year.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
There were some recent interviews of English players who in a very politically correct way gave faint praise to EJ. They said he was very "intense" and always kept players unbalanced. It did not come across as the most exciting endorsement. Which brings me back to my comment of giving EJ time and he may end up hanging himself again. Some coaches are very good in the short term and can "resurrect" bad performing teams. But it is in the long term that they fail. It is the same in business. There are leaders that terrorize their workers and get exceptional performance in the short term but fail miserably eventually.
Kane
Guest
Maybe David, just maybe, it's more of a reflection on how poor Cheika is?
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
He must come from a different breed. Don't worry. I have said before that I believe Lord is becoming senile. Too bad.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Thank you, Fionn. That was my point. Thanks for translating into proper English.
mzillikazi
Guest
"That makes your final statement look pretty stupid Carlos." I will remember that comment !! And is it necessary to descend to such a level ?
Mmmmm..k
Guest
I think they were talking about Speight, Koroibete, Naivalu, Tupou, Naiyaravoro, Kuridrani, Timani, Crowded House, Dragon and Nabuli.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
NVFS and Fionn. I’m afraid I haven’t got the faintest idea what you’re talking about.?
Fionn
Guest
That could refer to two certain Kiwis.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
My dear FunBus, surely you had our common favorite Kiwi in mind when you wrote this: They lost Faumiana but replaced him with two THs (acquired from the islands). Lost Piutau, but replaced him with Naholo (acquired from the islands). They also lost Luatua, but replaced him with Fifita (acquired from the islands). Admittedly, they’ve lost Seta (previously acquired from the islands) but they have huge depth in the back three. Only Cruden, and to a lesser extent Sapaoga, are significant losses. LOL!
FunBus
Roar Rookie
There are some differences this time. First, he's now one of the most experienced coaches in the world and seems much more reflective than in the past - certainly when he was in Oz. Second, RWC 2019 is an absolute focus. 3. There's a clear date for him to leave, rather than it being open-ended. Whether you like him or hate his guts as a player, you'd acknowledge that he's improved England and your eyes are on 2019.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
As Rugby Fan mentions above, apart from the pool the biggest challenge is getting England to the starting line in one piece. They need to get through this season and the tour of SA, before, hopefully, a less mad period in which they can have a proper pre-season and manage their key players.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Whether NZ have any 'depth' issues in the long-term depends on how market forces develop. Personally, I doubt they will have major issues, but we'll have to wait and see. Apart from fly-half if they're unlucky with injuries, they'll have no issues for RWC 2019. The ABs are the best side in the world currently, and I think they'll kick on again in 2018. They're also favourites for 2019, and England themselves continually acknowledge both facts virtually on a weekly basis. They lost Faumiana but replaced him with two THs (acquired from the islands). Lost Piutau, but replaced him with Naholo (acquired from the islands). They also lost Luatua, but replaced him with Fifita (acquired from the islands). Admittedly, they've lost Seta (previously acquired from the islands) but they have huge depth in the back three. Only Cruden, and to a lesser extent Sapaoga, are significant losses.
RugbyFan in WA
Guest
The biggest challenge for England and Eddie Jones is the World Cup Draw their two toughest pool games are at the end of the draw. To win the WC they essentially need to beat Argentina, France, Wales, NZ and either Ireland, SA or Australia. That is 5 tough games in 5 consecutive weeks which has never happened in the history of WC's. Don't underestimate SA at the next WC with a new Coach. With 18 months he could do a 'Chieka" and get them to the final against either a depleted England team or NZ.
Rugby Fan
Roar Guru
Jones has already beaten my low expectations, so I'll happily admit I misjudged him. If any of my reservations are actually valid, then we'll get some sign of that this year, for much the same reasons mentioned in Suzy Poison's account. As it turns out, Jones has been a much more loyal selector than I expected. Certainly, it's easier to do when the team is winning, and injuries aren't taking out a lot of first choice starters, as happened to both Martin Johnson and Stuart Lancaster. Still, that loyalty is being reciprocated, which means the squad is still happy to run through walls for Jones. Jones has also been better than I expected with young talent. George Ford has been around for a few years now but he's still two years younger than Beauden Barrett. When Jones mentioned Marcus Smith (18) for the first time, few in England knew anything about him. There are other young players I'd like to see involved but Jones has already got Zach Mercer,(20) and Nick Isiekwe (19) in the squad and would have involved the Curry twins (19) but for injury. On top of that, Simmonds (23) and Underhill (21) are in the mix at the earliest opportunity.
Mmmmm..k
Guest
Well if somebody who once new somebody thinks that Eddie won't win then I'm convinced ?
Machpants
Roar Guru
Yeah the dirt trackers, who give valuable experience, backup and challenge to the 15/23 moving on at a pace that is not sustainable here - England are the favourites ATM
Jacko
Guest
Seriously David? You believe that Gatland would say that behind closed doors ??? He was talking to reporters when he said those things and its called Pi$$ing in your pocket
Jacko
Guest
So what has the first 3 coaches on that list got to do with Eddie??? He , as you say didnt coach Aus in this time but he didnt coach England in that time either so where is your point? Also Eddie Jones history says he loses teams after 2 years and you know that David as you have said it before.....That does not mean he will lose the England team but it has definately happened to him everywhere he coaches for any lenth of time
Mmmmm..k
Guest
NZ don't have to worry about depth at all. They have, by far, the most depth in world rugby. Fullback/Wing: Dagg, Barrett, Smith, Havili, Savea, Ioane, NMS, Naholo. Centres: Goodhue, SBW, Crotty, Laumape, ALB. Flyhalf: Barrett, Mounga, McKenzie. Halfback: Perenara, Smith, Weber, Pulu. No.8/6: Read, Squire, Ioane, Fafita, Kaino, Dixon. Openside: Todd, Cane, Savea. Lock: Rettalick, Bird, Romano, Whitelock, Barrett, Tuipulotu. Props: Franks, Hames, Laulala, Moody, Tuungafasi, Crockett. Hooker: Taylor, Coles, Harris, Aumua. Seriously, you're playing the lack of depth card? No team come close to the depth NZ has and will have. Not even close.
David Lord
Expert
Suzy Poison and Rugby Fan, you'd better wise-up Kiwi Warren Gatland with your Eddie Jones reservations, Gatland has coached Wales since 2007, and coached the British and Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017. "I've learned a lot watching Eddie coach, he'll make an excellent British and Irish Lions coach," said Gatland yesterday, "You can't argue with the ambitions Eddie's got, and you can't argue with his record over the last couple of years," he added. Eddie and Warren go head-to-head at the weekend in the Six Nations.