Jones’ Fergie weapon?
SEMIFINAL: COACH HOPES TO TAKE INSPIRATION FROM LEGENDARY BOSS
England coach Eddie Jones heads into a World Cup semifinal against New Zealand taking inspiration from legendary football manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Today’s fixture in Yokohama will be the key fixture of Jones’ four-year reign, with the veteran Australian making no secret of his desire to lead England to World Cup glory following their embarrassing first-round exit on home soil in 2015.
But they face the toughest challenge possible this weekend, with New Zealand having not lost a World Cup match since a 2007 quarterfinal defeat by France.
The All Blacks are now bidding for a third successive global crown and fourth in total.
England have won just seven out of 41 Tests against New Zealand, with their last back in 2012.
However, in their only previous match against the All Blacks under Jones, in November last year, England pushed them close before losing 16-15, with flanker Sam Underhill having a try disallowed for a marginal offside by Courtney Lawes.
When Ferguson took over as manager of Manchester United in 1986 he said he wanted to knock Liverpool, then the dominant side in the English game, “off their perch”.
Ferguson’s trophy-laden reign at Old Trafford was proof of how he lived up to his words, and Jones said he now wants England to follow suit.
“When you’ve been involved in rugby the country you want to knock off is New Zealand because they’ve been the best,” Jones said.
Jones – who invited Ferguson into the England camp earlier in the tournament – has recalled George Ford at flyhalf after he came off the bench during an emphatic 40-16 quarterfinal win over Australia.
England captain Owen Farrell, at flyhalf against the Wallabies, moves to inside centre alongside childhood friend Ford, with Jones reverting to the two playmaker system that has served him well for much of his time as Red Rose boss.
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has also made one change to the side that hammered Ireland 46-14, with Scott Barrett at blindside flanker to combat England’s “kamikaze kids” Underhill and Tom Curry.
“We’ve arrived at this point with vastly different experiences from previous Rugby World Cups,” said Hansen. “No doubt those experiences will resurface throughout the week and even in the game itself.”
Jones added: “New Zealand are a great team... like any good team, you have to take away time and space from them and you have to find areas where you can pressure them.” –