We’re still superior to Ireland — Jones
DESPITE Ireland destroying their Grand Slam plans and dreams of a world record run of wins, Eddie Jones believes England are still the superior side.
In fact, the England coach reckons that if the sides were to meet another 10 times in the Aviva Stadium and under the same circumstances, Joe Schmidt’s men would lose at least six.
The Six Nations champions headed to Dublin in search of back-to-back Grand Slams and a record-breaking 19th Test victory only to barely fire a shot as they fell 13-9 to opponents who dominated throughout.
‘It’s a game, it’s a game of rugby. We lost, we’ll move on, we’ll get better, we’ll learn,’ said the Australian yesterday.
‘We were ready, we just weren’t good enough. Sometimes you’re just not good enough. That’s the reality. We weren’t good enough on the day but that’s one day.
‘If we play them another 10 times, how many times do you reckon we’d win? I reckon we’d win at least six of them.’ England are attempting to arrange an additional fixture with the All Blacks at Twickenham in November, but New Zealand’s media reacted with scorn to their failure to claim a place in history.
Among the words used to describe the display at Aviva Stadium are ‘thuggish’, ‘brain dead’, ‘arrogant’, ‘wrecking balls in chains’ and ‘back to square one’.
But Jones is adamant England are on course to peak at Japan 2019.
‘This result doesn’t change the plan at all. Did you think we would never get defeated?’ Jones said.
‘One game doesn’t change our plan. We’ve got a plan in place. I know what we’ve got to do to be at our best for the World Cup. One game doesn’t affect our perception of people, or the team.
‘It’s great for us. It’s not great to lose, but it’s a great learning experience. There’s no scar there at all.
‘You know what the All Blacks had to go through to win the World Cup in 2011. They lost the semi-final against Australia in 2003 and they lost the quarterfinal in 2007. They got to the final in 2011 and had to have a very kind referee to get them home.
‘That’s how hard it is for them to win. So to lose the Grand Slam game when we’ve already got the trophy is hardly a scar, it’s a learning experience.’
Jones also mounted a stout defence of his captain and hooker Dylan Hartley, who struggled all championship having come into the tournament cold after serving a ban for striking Leinster and Ireland flanker Seán O’Brien and was regularly substituted early for Jamie George of Saracens.
Just 24 hours after Hartley lifted the Six Nations trophy, Lions head coach Warren Gatland cast doubt on his prospects of making the cut for the tour, praising George in the process.
However, Jones pays no heed to the doubts expressed in many quarters about Hartley’s place in his line-up, citing the Northampton player’s positive impact as the figurehead for England’s revival. ‘I’m not discussing Lions selection, but Dylan is an outstanding captain for us and does a super job,’ he said. ‘There’s no reason why he won’t continue to do a super job.’ Asked if he becomes frustrated when Hartley’s playing attributes are questioned, Jones added: ‘No. No. I thought he was better than he was in November — and there’s no reason why, the next time he comes in, he can’t be better than he was this time. As long as he keeps improving, he’s in the right direction.’
On this matter, Jones is utterly resolute and bullish. If anything, the louder the calls for George to be installed as the long-term option, the more stridently he defends his captain.
England’s next assignment is their summer tour to Argentina, after which they play Australia, Argentina and Samoa.
Jones, who is in discussion with some players over whether they will be rested for the Pumas if overlooked by the Lions, indicates that significant changes will not be seen until the end of this year.
‘I always look at a World Cup project as three projects — the first two years, the second two years and the three months leading into the tournament,’ he said. ‘We don’t have to make decisions on players until at least the end of the first two-year project.’