Eddie Jones insists England are ready to hunt down the Wallabies as they prepare for confrontation on and off the pitch during their three-Test tour of Australia.
Jones has named a 36-man squad that features recalls for No.8 Billy Vunipola and halfback Danny Care, but counts Joe Marler, Ben Youngs and Elliot Daly as big-name omissions.
England’s last visit to Australia in 2016 ended with a series whitewash of the Wallabies but Jones and his tourists were forced to overcome a coordinated campaign of disruption off the pitch, including the coach facing a prolonged search of his luggage at Brisbane Airport.
As a taster of what is to come, the host broadcaster has produced a trailer to the series in which obnoxious and sunburnt red rose fans drink tea and eat cakes before being interrupted by Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou.
“We’ve got to go after them. We’ve got a whole intention of going after them,” said Jones, who has won all eight meetings with Australia as England coach.
“Davie Rennie’s sides traditionally want to play on the front foot, so it’s going to be about who wins the front foot.
“There will be really hard, flat tracks and abusive crowds. They are in the face, the Australians. The media are going to be in our face – they are aggressive.
“It’s a really aggressive environment. You can learn so much about your players and your squad on those tours and we’ve missed that.
“I’m sure it’ll be fun. For Australians, it’s the biggest tour and it’s going to be huge. It’s going to be fantastic for rugby and it’s going to be fantastic for our squad.”
Vunipola is one of 10 survivors from the 2016 tour, but this time around he is looking to re-establish himself in the back row having been frozen out since the 2021 Six Nations.
A combination of his bulldozing form, culminating in a mighty afternoon for Saracens against Leicester in Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership final, and injuries to preferred number eights Alex Dombrandt and Sam Simmonds have resulted in his recall.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
England have missed his direct carrying and with big centre Manu Tuilagi absent through injury, Vunipola could have an important role to play against the Wallabies.
“Billy can definitely bring power. He’s got that dexterity and subtle hands. When he’s at his best, which we think he’s close to now, he gives you something a little bit different,” Jones said.
“When players have had a lot of success there are some that are continually hungry for success and can’t live without it. Then there are some that sit back a little bit.
“He probably sat back a little bit and sometimes it takes a reminder to get them to sit forward a bit more. He’s had that reminder and we’re optimistic that we’ll see the best of him in the Test arena.”
Care was also involved six years ago and his exile from the England team has lasted even longer as he targets a first cap since falling out with Jones in 2018.
“The Australian tracks are typically hard and fast and the first game we play on in Perth is an AFL track so it’s for thoroughbreds. It suits Danny. He’s on top of the ground,” Jones said.
Suliasi Vunivalu’s extension
Suliasi Vunivalu has confirmed he’s sticking around until the end of the World Cup, ending speculation he would feature with the NRL Dolphins next season.
The former Melbourne Storm player, 26, is in camp with the Wallabies and could be given a Test debut in the England series.
“I’m really excited to re-sign with Queensland and Australian Rugby,” Vunivalu said in a statement.
“I’m enjoying my time at Ballymore with the Reds. I’ve made a lot of good friends here and I have enjoyed learning from someone who also has experience in both codes in Brad Thorn.
“I still have a lot to learn, but Queensland is the best place for me to reach the next level.
“Playing in a World Cup for Australia was a big reason I made the move to Rugby last year and I’ll be doing my best to hopefully achieve that goal.
“I’m looking forward to learning more over the next few months in Wallabies camp and taking that back to the Reds in 2023.”
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said: “Having Suli re-sign is a massive positive for all supporters of Australian Rugby.”
“He’s an incredible athlete with huge potential and having him in the Wallabies squad is only going to accelerate his development.
“His ability in the air is phenomenal and we’ve been impressed with his work ethic and desire to improve all areas of his game.”
Tahs lock joins Force
Simon Cron’s Western Force rebuild continues with the signing of Tahs’ 21-year-old lock Jeremy Williams.
The former Junior Wallabies player cited the arrival of Cron as a factor in leaving NSW, having played 17 Super Rugby games since his debut last year.
Williams said the opportunity to move west will help him grow as a player and a person.
“I think this is going to be a really good move. I’ve been in Sydney all my life so it’s going to be a new experience to meet all the boys and get stuck in. I’m really looking forward to it,” Williams said in a statement.
“I saw a good opportunity here to develop my game and take it to the next level. The Force is a good place to do that, and it is a good time for me to get out of my comfort zone and take on a new challenge.
“To play for the Wallabies is the goal for most people playing Super Rugby, but at the moment I am focused on getting better as a person and a player and developing my game.
“I’m also looking forward to working with (Simon) Cron again. I’ve had a bit of experience with him before and I think working with him will be awesome.”
General manager of rugby Matt Hodgson said: “Jeremy is a talented young player who is hungry for the opportunity to play more consistently at the Super Rugby level, which makes him a very exciting signing for us. We know he is a hard worker which is a trait we are always looking for.
“His ability to swing between the second row and the back row makes him a versatile addition to the team.
“It will be great to see him pair up with the likes of Izack Rodda and Kane Koteka and see how he develops and learns from them.”
Dermody to replace Brown
The Highlanders have backed the internal candidate to replace Tony Brown as head coach with his assistant of the past two years, Clarke Dermody.
“When I started with the Highlanders in 2014 it wasn’t with the purpose of someday being the head coach, I was just happy to get the opportunity to be involved with a club I have a genuine attachment with,” Dermody, who signed a three-year deal, said in a statement.
“I believe in the club and the region it represents, I believe in the team and the players we have, and I believe that we can achieve success if we work hard and work smart.”
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Im more confident than that for the Wallabies. I didnt see anything from England in the 6N that tells me England will dominate. Its at home for the Wallabies so Im going all in on them.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Good choice in seeing Clarke Dermody taking over the Landers, as IMO , I reckon he'll go well. Fingers crossed, he won't be laden with the injuries Tony had in his last season, as there are some real quality young players coming through in the squad. Well as we know with the test series nearly upon us, hopefully we'll see these NH nations play a little bit better in this part of the planet, as has been seen over the decades they have a habit of going away losers. Perhaps, IMO, the Irish series might be the better one of the two, as a defeat given to the AB's will surely see the end of Foster's tenure.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Do Pom cakes taste any different piru??? Lol :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
I am P2R2, as it's a Maori coach up against a ex Australian coach!!
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Hmmm, I think he might be on about examples like the concerted media campaign during the 2003 World Cup (‘Dad’s Army’ ‘is that all you’ve got’ ‘kick em out the tournament’ when they had 16 men on the pitch for 15 seconds against Samoa). Then of course there was the coordinated ‘scrum straight Joe’ campaign led by Bob Dwyer in 2015. Then the famous Fox Promo in 2016 when the collection of smug, sneering ex WBs created a 2 minute Promo for the series which basically involved them sitting around giggling as various photos of English players was paraded on screen. Seeing as Eddie would have been encouraging it all in 2003, I reckon he probably knows what he’s talking about.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
This England squad I think will struggle in Oz. It’s a bit of a patch work team. Some of the old guts coming back. So new faces who don’t deserve to be there, and a lot of good players like Ben Earl left out. Wallabies have a great chance to set the record straight after a poor run since 2015 against the old enemy.
adastra32
Roar Rookie
It will be close, as ever. Could go either way.
James584
Roar Rookie
I meant 1000!
Wigeye
Guest
Yep i think they can and must to prove a point' that The wallabys are competitive and afu needa some self esteem at the minute. Q Cooper marshaling the back line :thumbup:
AndyS
Guest
If the Australian crowds are generally accused of anything, it is being too quiet and non-responsive...
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Gee! Jones comments about Aussie supporters and the media, is he talking about Australia really or the attitude of the English. Talk about the pot calling the kettle, good luck to him if he is trying to get a reaction out of DR. Rennie will respond with let’s settle it on the field, the way it should be.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I believe you need to go out a little more...
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Eddie played for Randwick. He may have copped some abuse. The problem with Australian rugby crowds was always that we are too quiet.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I rated him. Every time he came on, I saw effort and impact. I was worried he'd be lost to the game here with his limited minutes so am at least pleased he's stayed in Australia. Good luck to him
Flyman
Roar Rookie
Mmm, not so sure about that....... Then again, I'd be happy to be proved wrong :stoked:
James584
Roar Rookie
‘Abusive’ rugby crowds in Australia? I have been to more than 100 games in my life and I have never experienced that. Of course they is the occasional idiot or group. But not an ‘abusive crowd’.
Morsie
Roar Rookie
Lowest form of English inside back aggression is a good old Owen Farrell shoulder charge. I hope he shoulder charges Kerevi. Mind you the last time Kerevi got shoulder charged, it was he who copped the glass of Shiraz.
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Missing a first sentence here as I'm ranting about my Highlanders, cheers.
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
If only we had access to a "Bender like" hybrid and an Naholo - strike wing who had speed, power and looked for work in the centres and could jackal. Koroibeti, not so much.
Good replacement for FLW :thumbup: