Jones behind the push for England test
RUGBY Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie has revealed the unsuccessful push to secure a test against the All Blacks this year was driven by England coach Eddie Jones.
The RFU and New Zealand Rugby were involved in secret talks to schedule a lucrative test between the top two ranked teams in the world in November, only for the All Blacks to proceed with a game against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
Having led England to successive Six Nations titles and equalled the All Blacks’ 18-match winning run, Jones is desperate to test his side against the world champions.
While they are due to meet next year, that will be England’s only chance to gauge their prog- ress against Steve Hansen’s side before the 2019 World Cup.
‘‘I had discussions at the behest of Eddie, not because of any economics,’’ Ritchie told The Independent.
‘‘The clear reason for me and the only reason for having this match was because Eddie wanted to have it. This was not driven by economics.
‘‘Was it possible to stage and was it the right thing to achieve that for the fans, because Eddie wanted it and the opportunity was there.
‘‘It was a New Zealand choice of whether they wanted to play us or the Barbarians.’’
Having not squared off since the All Blacks’ 24-21 victory at Twickenham in 2014, there is huge demand to see the two sides meet again.
And Ritchie said he would have been ‘‘ failing in my responsibility’’ if he did not pursue the test ahead of the Barbarians.
‘‘I stress there was no agreement to have another Barbarians vs All Blacks game until the board REUTERS approved it on Wednesday,’’ he said.
‘‘The New Zealand board hadn’t approved it either.’’
Meanwhile, Jones has turned to the round-ball game to find an edge in his bid to take the England rugby team to the top of the world.
A week after the Red Rose’s record-equalling 18-match winning run came to an end against Ireland, Jones joined the England football squad’s preparations ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Lithuania tomorrow.
While Jones led England to their second-straight Six Nations title, the 13-9 defeat to Ireland in Dublin showed the Australian that they are still some way off overtaking the All Blacks as rugby’s premier team.
His visit came after England football team manager Gareth Southgate did likewise prior to the Red Rose’s win over Wales last month, where Jones’ will to win left a big impression.
‘‘He (Jones) has a winning mentality – he is constantly asking for more,’’ Southgate said.