Old sparring partner backs under-fire Jones
the last time england came to Australia, Michael Cheika tried in vain to ambush eddie Jones. this time, he is offering support to his former team-mate and coaching rival.
In 2016, Cheika was in charge of the Wallabies but endured a 3-0 series whitewash at the hands of Jones’ revitalised side. the men who once both represented randwick RFC in Sydney traded verbal blows as england claimed historic victories in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
Six years on, Jones is Down under again and backed into a corner after another grim, three defeat Six Nations campaign. But Jones has received a timely endorsement from Cheika, who will follow events with interest, as he takes charge of Argentina — england’s next visitors to twickenham and their first World Cup opponents next year. ‘eddie has done a fantastic job
with england,’ said Cheika, who endured seven consecutive defeats against Jones — the last of which led to the end of his five-year stint with Australia. ‘I know they (the english public and media) go up and down with him, but he’s been there for more than six years and not many have lasted that long and achieved the sorts of results he has. It should be a really good series in Australia, as the 2016 one was. It didn’t go well for us, but it was pretty entertaining.’ Cheika has noted how Jones is again going through a mid-World Cup cycle overhaul, adding: ‘It looks like england are changing a bit. eddie has done that big World Cup mix-around like he did during the last cycle. he sees who is up for it and who’s ready to go next. then he’ll narrow it down as it gets nearer. ‘there’s no doubt england are going to be a serious threat. they are one of the best teams in the world with good young players coming through as well.’ england will seek to take their winning run against the Wallabies, now led by Dave rennie, into double figures. Jones admires his opposite number but will miss the sparring with Cheika.
‘It was always good fun against Cheik,’ he said. ‘Knowing each other well and having a bit of fun on the international stage certainly added to the game. Dave (rennie) is a respected coach but I don’t think we’ll have the same interaction. I’ve seen Cheik is on TV, looking very smart, so I’m sure he’s going to be making comments somewhere along the line.’ Cheika’s remarks about Jones are sympathetic, despite a heavy defeat by england in the quarter-final of the 2019 World Cup bringing a painful end to his Wallabies reign. that loss hurt Cheika but didn’t discourage him from taking the Argentina job.
Asked if he had been wary of accepting another high-pressure international role, the 55-yearold said: ‘No. None of that. I’m actually the opposite. I’m not into the whole pressure thing. that’s what I have always done.’ Cheika took charge of the Wallabies in 2014 and led them to the World Cup final a year later. So Jones will know that while his old sparring partner is showing solidarity now, Cheika and his Pumas could pose a real danger to england in November — and next year, when it matters, in Marseille.
• THE Wallabies are dealing with a forward crisis ahead of the opening game against england after taniela tupou, who has a calf problem, joined harry Johnson holmes and Jed holloway on the injury list. Sam talakai and Ned hanigan have been called up as cover.