Eddie Jones is brushing aside all talk of his England tourists earning another, record-extending clean sweep over the Wallabies.
The Tasmanian coach, who orchestrated England’s first 3-0 whitewash of Australia on the tour down in 2016, could push his extraordinary record to 11 wins and no losses against the Wallabies in the July Tests.
Under his stewardship, England have enjoyed eight straight victories, the most by either side in the fixture’s 113-year history.
Yet when asked about keeping up his unbeaten record, Jones was having none of it on Tuesday. “Aw, that’s for you guys to talk about – not for me,” he sighed.
He’s more preoccupied about the trio of contests in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney in successive weekends presenting very different challenges six years on in a game which he believes has become more stop-start – and definitely more intense.
“Australia’s in a different position to where they were in 2016,” he said.
“They were an established team coming off the back of a World Cup final where they’d done exceedingly well.
“If you look at Super Rugby teams at the moment, they’re very young teams, a lot of good young players going through.
“I’m not going to try to pick (Wallabies coach) Dave Rennie’s team for him, but it looks like they’ll have a fairly young team.
“They’ll play that traditional Dave Rennie-type of rugby – a lot of ball movement, sequence plays, so the challenge in the game will be different – and obviously the game’s changing considerably.”
Watching last weekend’s Super Rugby action, Jones reckoned there were so many TMO stoppages that the games became full of “more powerful, shorter blocks of intense periods of play”.
“We’ve got to make sure we prepare well for that sort of rugby on fast pitches,” reckoned Jones.
“The first game’s at Perth, an AFL ground, very fast, you’re gonna have 60,000 screaming Australians there – they’ve already sold the game out, it’s fantastic for rugby.”
It’s a big tour for Jones, who’s now been under the cosh over two disappointing seasons in which England have finished fifth and third in the Six Nations.
His three-day training camp in London with an extended squad of 36, which starts on Sunday, will feature the uncapped Louis Lynagh, son of former Wallabies legend Michael, and Henry Arundell, the newest sensation of the English game.
“There are some players who have done well over the last period of time. We want to have a look at them and see what they can bring to the table,” said Jones, who’s now selected Lynagh in several of his squads without yet giving him his international debut.
It’s possible, though, that if Lynagh makes the tour cut, the 21-year-old Harlequins winger could make his bow in England’s international against Barbarians at Twickenham on June 19 before they fly out to Australia.
Kris
Guest
I hope it is not a Frenchman. Does anybody remember the first test at Suncorp on 2016/? Monsieur Poite -now retired displaying a didgeridoo at home- grilled the WBs, 2-9 penalties to Farrel's boot. It was a ridiculous show of biased, incompetent refereeing
Jacko
Roar Rookie
But if its an Aus ref they will red card half the team for it to be thrown out on tuesday evening.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
And his year at the Rebels proved how correct BT was. QC was crap at the Rebels. Did they make the finals that year ( rhetorical question lol )
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Many see it differently Doc. As a movie once said "he's not the mesiah he's just a very naughty boy" LOL.
Wigeye
Guest
Yes I think wallabys can win it, No disrespect to hooplah but he should be bench player only and every kick kickable penalty should be taken for the 3 points unless your right on the line.
Matt
Guest
Kurtley was involved in 6 i believe.
PeterK
Roar Guru
agree with Ferret that both Ikitau and Perese have outperformed him. DR has also said it is time to stick to combinations if possible so Ikitau is almost a certainty to start at 13.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Andy is a competitor. Would like him to get a cap. He's not flash, but rarely has a bad game.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Suli will be in the squad. To much money (and potential) on the line. If he can light it up in the next couple of weeks he may earn his spot but Simone who has put in good yards all season will be missing out. That might be Muirhead but that would not upset me. Great player but from what I see not a international caliber player.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Hey Ferret. True about Kellaway but I stuck him there based on past performance and not on Rebels form. Petaia is very likely and may offer coverage at 15 as well. Think Suli has left his run too late, but stranger things have happened.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
If it is a kiwi ref then we know Farrell will be getting away with his shoulder charge technique … I mean tackling Technique.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
I think Len had him beat for staring honors. I also think perese would have him beat too based on recent form. Hunter needs to switch to 12 IMO. He has a decent passing game. Good crash ball. Has dropped some very nice grubbers. Defense is solid.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Hi Bobby… based on super rugby form this year I personally don’t have Kellaway staring. Unfortunately he was on the wing while rebels were trying work out how the game of rugby worked early on in the season and now hi is covering at 13. I have Wright as 1st picked and Jordan P as the other.
Steve O.
Guest
I think this time around England will be facing a different beast. Forget about Kerevi and Cooper, it will be our forwards who’ll blow them off the park.. Wallabies 3 blot and Jones not surviving for the Workd Cup..
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
3-0 to the Wallabies. Why? Home ground, Dave Rennie smarts, Team Culture, Payback for 3-0 last time, the improvements made in Super rugby 22
Englishbob
Guest
No one I know thinks there's a whitewash coming, a goldwash is probably more likely but 2-1 either way would seem reasonable at this stage. England were nothing short of shocking in the 6N and hard to tell with the Wallabies, some good young talent coming through. If the Australian forwards can hang with the Englishmen, which they haven't for a while, but I suspect they will this time. Head Aus 2-1 Heart Eng 2-1. Can't wait!
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Peter..what has your view been of HP..it seems like he won't be able to knock Ikitau off from nr 13.
Jj
Guest
Anyone know who the ref's will be and what rule book they'll be using? Feel like there gonna be a lot chat about the referee post this series....
Tim J
Roar Rookie
C’mon the Wallabies! I am going for a two to one victory, Jones will then complain about the grounds, the ref, lack of support and the players etc :shocked: :laughing:
Bobby
Roar Rookie
And that year alone cost the Reds about 350K plus heaps whilst at Rebels in year 2