All Blacks coach hails England rugby team
london — New Zealand coach Steve Hansen praised the renewed “work ethic” and “vision” shown by England under Eddie Jones after they equalled the All Blacks’ record of 18 consecutive Test wins by a major rugby union nation.
England drew level with the world champions’ mark in style, thrashing oldest rivals Scotland 61-21 at Twickenham on Saturday, with Jonathan Joseph’s hattrick among their seven tries.
Victory saw England win their second straight Six Nations title under Australian coach Jones, who has revitalised the team since taking over following their first-round exit on home soil at the 2015 World Cup.
Jones’s men now head to Dublin to face Ireland in the final match of the 2017 Six Nations next weekend knowing a win would see them become the first England side since 1992-93 to win back-to-back Grand Slams.
Hansen told BBC Radio Five on Sunday: “I’d like to congratulate England on equalling the record. It’s great for rugby because we want competition and games that people want to watch and get excited by.
“Eddie has come in and installed a want and a desire that probably hasn’t been there before. We’ve always felt England have had plenty of talent but not always been willing to work hard. But they seem to be doing that now under Eddie, and it’s no surprise that they’re putting a run together that’s pretty impressive.” —