Eddie reckons beating the All Blacks is like trying to dismiss Aussie run-machine Steve in the Ashes
EDDIE JONES says beating New Zealand at rugby is like to trying to bowl out Steve Smith in cricket.
But as England arrived in Tokyo to prepare for Saturday’s last-four showdown with the mighty All Blacks, he assured his players that staying patient can get them to the World Cup final.
England are big underdogs despite thrashing Australia 40-16 in the quarter-finals and All Blacks coach Steve Hansen believes Jones’ men are stronger for coming through the hurt of their humiliating pool stage exit four years ago.
Hansen warned his side to expect a “mighty clash”, but Jones is only too aware the men in black have won 15 of the last 16 meetings and spelt out the challenge using the analogy of trying to dislodge Australia’s star batsman or England Test captain Joe Root.
“If you’re bowling against Steve Smith or against Joe Root when he’s in form, you’ve got to be respectful of their ability,” said Jones (inset).
“There’s a way to get them out and good bowlers are able to work them out by not going away from the plan and keep digging away.
“But what happens is people get bored and try to find the magic solution – and that magic solution allows the batsman to get free.
“If you allow them to get free they become a different player, but if you keep them where they don’t like to be, you’ll get a result. It’s the same in rugby.”
Across town, Hansen echoed Jones’ call for patience from his own side, remembering how England led them 15-0 a year ago and would have won had Sam Underhill’s late try not been controversially chalked off.
“I watched the first part of the England-Australia game
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and Australia hammered and hammered and got no success,” he said. “When you get no success, you get frustrated. We can’t afford to get frustrated against them.
If we’re not having success, we’ve got to keep building the momentum and pressure until we do.”
There is no question the Jones factor unsettles the Kiwis and empowers England.
“Eddie’s got a work ethic second to none,” added Hansen. “He put himself in hospital, he worked that hard. He’s done a fantastic job with England. They’ve got a harder edge.”
The two coaches are pals and have promised to share a few beers whatever the outcome. “It’s a game of footy, it’s not life or death,” Hansen added. “It’s like when you play against family. It’s important, but it’s not life-threatening.”
Jones added: “Having a respectful relationship is massively important in our game. You just have to see this tournament, what it’s done. The things that have happened don’t happen in other sports.
“You’ve got the Canadian and Namibian blokes cleaning up the ground [after their game was cancelled].
“Can you imagine Ronaldo or Messi doing that if Barcelona or Real Madrid gets a wash? It’s a different game.”
EUR BACK IN, MURRAY
for the first time since 2016 in Madrid next month and captain Leon Smith said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic to see Andy competing again.” Dan Evans, plus doubles pair Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski, join Murray, along with either Kyle Edmund or Cameron Norrie. Britain will face Netherlands and Kazakhstan in the group stage.