EXCITED JONES: NOW BRING ON ALL BLACKS
ENGLAND COACH LOOKING FORWARD TO CLASH WITH MIGHTY NEW ZEALAND
Jones is impatient for New Zealand’s visit to Twickenham after declaring England ready to prove themselves against the benchmark in world sport.
A rousing 12-11 victory over a South Africa team close to full strength launched the autumn series in enthralling fashion to raise expectations for the long-awaited showdown with Steve Hansen’s All Blacks on Saturday.
It is four years since the rivals last met due to a quirk of the fixture list and Jones insists injury-depleted England know they can engineer an upset that would land a psychological blow ahead of next year’s World Cup.
“I said to the boys after South Africa that I can’t wait. I cannot wait,” the head coach said.
“They are the benchmark for world rugby, the team you want to play against. Where are you in the world? You only know when you play against the All Blacks.
“Any team that wins 91 per cent of their games is a great team. What other teams in world sport do that?
“You’ve got to believe you can beat them. You’ve got to understand where they’re weak, understand where they’re strong and be disciplined in your game plan. We will be well prepared for them.”
England staggered through the first half of the year, a dreadful Six Nations followed by a 2-1 series defeat in South Africa as five losses were incurred from six Tests.
But by toppling the Springboks against the odds despite missing key players such as the Vunipola brothers, Chris Robshaw and Joe Launchbury, they have created the conviction that 2018 can end strongly.
“I didn’t need this to make me believe we can beat the All Blacks – I thought we could beat the All Blacks back in 2016. Nothing has changed there,” Jones said.
“But the win just makes everyone feel a bit better. If you lose a game like that, it’s harder to pick the players up. Now we won’t have to pick them up. “The belief you get from winning those tight games is enormous. That’s the big thing for us.” Owen Farrell, the indomitable driving force behind England’s refusal to crumble in the face of South Africa’s onslaught, dismissed the All Blacks aura of invincibility.
“Anyone can be beaten. I don’t think any team is unbeatable. They got beat not so long ago, didn’t they?” Farrell said.
Meanwhile, Gareth Anscombe readily accepts that the battle for starting places will be red-hot during Wales’ autumn Under Armour Series.
The Cardiff Blues back put down a marker for further fly-half recognition by starring in a 21-10 Principality Stadium victory over Scotland.
And it will be fascinating to see where Wales head coach Warren Gatland turns for next Saturday’s appointment with Australia, particEddie ularly as vastly-experienced Northampton number 10 Dan Biggar is in the selection mix.
“Obviously I want to be there, but there are other guys fighting for positions,” Anscombe said.
“It is a good thing for Welsh rugby that we have developed a pretty good group of 40, so any guys can slip in and do a job. We are a pretty tight bunch and a good group of lads. From a personal point of view, to be part of a win at home is nice.”