RUGBY UNION England end 10 years of hurt BOK TO THE FUTURE
Jones ends jinx then talks up his own exit
EDDIE JONES watched his England side break a 10-year Springbok hoodoo – then admitted he wants to do himself out of a job.
Jones’ men nailed four tries to gain their first victory over the Boks since 2006, but the boss was still not satisfied.
And that was despite equalling former South African Nick Mallett’s record of winning his first 10 tests as coach.
Comeback kids Joe Launchbury – starting his first Test since February – and World Cup outcast Tom Wood starred as the Boks were put to the sword.
Owen Farrell scored 19 points and Ben Youngs, from scrumhalf, pulled the strings as England woke up from a dozy start to put the South Africans to bed.
Skipper Dylan Hartley and Farrell got the team together after their early wobble and Jones will not be satisfied until the side can do that every game – and he is out of a job.
Redundant
England’s Aussie boss said: “Leadership i s massively important. My job is to make myself redundant and when I am redundant the team is going to be functioning well.
“It was good leadership again by Dylan, Owen and Billy Vunipola – they pulled everyone into line and made sure everyone knew what they had to do.
“When I took the job I knew I was inheriting a very good side. My job was to make sure that talent produced performances. We are starting to get there, but are nowhere near good enough.”
One year on from the World Cup nightmare, Jones has turned England into a different team and Youngs had his best game for his country. Jones chucked a bag of sweets at the scrum-half when he first got the England gig and told him he was too fat, but that jibe paid off as Youngs made tries for George Ford and Farrell.
Jones added: “You can see his cheekbones. He’s going in the right direction. I think he has got the potential to be one of the best half-backs in the world.”
England are second in the world rankings but still miles behind New Zealand after their 68-10 win over Italy yesterday – however, slimline Youngs has the Kiwis in his sights.
He said: “South Africa is a LEIGH HALFPENNY’S late penalty saw Wales edge a tight game against Argentina 24-20 and end their losing run.
All the tries came after the break with Liam Williams and Gareth Davies crossing, and Juan Martin Hernandez and Martin Landajo replying for the Pumas. Halfpenny’s (right) kick edged Wales four points clear to end a run of five losses.
Tevita Kuridrani bagged a last-gasp try as Australia beat Scotland 22-23 at Murrayfield, while New Zealand put Italy to the sword in Rome as they ran in 10 tries to win 10-68. huge rugby nation and this will give this team another layer of confidence. “It is another step to where we want to get to. That is No.1 in the world, but to get there we need to control the ball better, have better discipline and put teams under more pressure.” England coughed up a ridiculous six penalties in the opening quarter before getting to work. After Jonny May’s try, the Boks had a 9-7 lead but then Courtney Lawes touched down a loose ball for his first Test try and Youngs made the scores for Ford and Farrell. South Africa were gone by then and the lights were out. Tries: Cons:
ENGLAND:
Pens:
SOUTH AFRICA:
Con: Drop: Tries: Pens: