JONES: MY FAST BOYS WILL FLY AT THE PUMAS
STAGE two of England’s global conquest mission begins today with what Eddie Jones describes as a ‘test of manhood’ against Argentina — one which he expects his team to pass with flying colours.
The endangered Pumas await in the serious phase of the pool stage, where English ambitions will face heightened pressure. They breezed through stage one, seeing off Tonga and the USA without incurring any casualties.
Remarkably, Jones’ squad are in a better state of health now than when they arrived in Japan. Instead of incurring damage while easing past those Tier 2 opponents, they have been boosted by the recovery of Mako Vunipola, Jack Nowell and Henry Slade who are now poised to make impacts off the bench. All 31 players are available for selection.
Win this morning and they will have qualified for the quarter-finals with a game to spare, prior to the pool finale against France in Yokohama next Saturday.
With the minnows out of the way, Jones was asked yesterday if his squad are ready to prove they have acquired sufficient big-game temperament and nous to cope with the grand occasions against bigger fish.
‘It’s a bit like a tea bag, isn’t it?’ he replied. ‘You don’t know good it is until you put it in hot water.’
When England take the plunge today, their head coach certainly believes they are good enough to dominate a high-impact contest.
‘Physically, we are in the best position we have been in,’ he said bullishly.
‘We were absolutely flying in training this morning. The players are looking fit, fast, brutal and ready to go. When you play against Argentina, it’s a test of manhood, so you have to take them up front; scrum, maul, ruck attack, ruck defence. That’s where it will be won.’
After their opening defeat to France, Argentina can’t afford to lose again or they are out. But England are equally primed for what Agustin Creevy said would be a ‘war’ on the field. The favourites have used their rival hooker and long-time captain’s remark about English rugby sometimes being ‘boring’ as a tool to get them in the mood for a fiery duel.
Owen Farrell and Co are determined to prove they can trump them for force as well as finesse. They are capable of seizing control of the set-piece battle, against a country still trying to re-build their lost reputation for scrummaging. England will also hope to deploy their rolling maul as a potent try-scoring asset, just as they did against the USA in Kobe nine days ago.
England are ranked third, the Pumas 10th and that seems like a fair reflection of this match-up. Argentina had lost 12 Tests in a row before they recorded an unconvincing victory over Tonga last weekend.
While their Jaguares reached the Super Rugby Final this year, the national team have been in decline since the last World Cup.
They reached the semi-finals in 2015, as they did in 2007 — when current head coach Mario Ledesma was the hooker in a magnificent team. He has a major rebuilding project on his hands now.
Argentina fought back against France but they fell agonisingly short and are staring down the barrel of a pool-stage exit. The scenario is prompting varied reactions within their squad.
Fly-half Benjamin Urdapilleta, a shock inclusion ahead of the more established Nicolas Sanchez, said: ‘We are confident about this game. I don’t want to use the word lose, but this is a crucial game with lots of pressure. We should use this as motivation.’
Full-back Emiliano Boffelli added: ‘We want to show what Argentina rugby is all about.’
They can be expected to put up a fight. But Argentina can also be expected to lose. England have such a vast array of firepower. They have ball-carrying, super-skilful front-rowers, athletic locks, a young and dynamic back row and a balanced creative hub behind the scrum — Ben Youngs, George Ford and Owen Farrell.
Jones knows he is unleashing a team awash with potency and class. It is near enough the same side that put 57 points on Ireland last month.
England will be doing well to repeat that feat, but they are capable of emphatically dispatching the Pumas from this tournament and igniting their campaign in style. ENGLAND: Daly, Watson, Tuilagi, Farrell, May; Ford, Youngs; Marler, George, Sinckler; Itoje, Kruis; Curry, Underhill, B Vunipola.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, M Vunipola, Cole, Lawes, Ludham, Heinz, Slade, Nowell.
ARGENTINA: Boffelli; Moroni, Orlando, De La Fuente, Carreras, Urdapilleta, Cubelli, Chaparro, Montoya, Figallo, Pagadizabal, Lavanini, Matera, Kremer, Desio.
Replacements: Creevy, Vivas, Medrano, Alemanno, Lezana, Ezcurra, Mensa, Delguy Referee: Nigel Owens Kick-off: 9am. TV: STV.