WE ARE NOT CHEATS
Jones defends scrum and turns up heat on Wallabies
EDDIE JONES dismissed Australian claims that England were guilty of scrum cheating in Brisbane by claiming his pack can dominate the Wallabies legally — while also returning fire with talk of Australian weaknesses.
The circus ringmaster is in his element as this series unfolds. Jones is setting the agenda Down Under.
England’s wily head coach raged with indignation about a lack of respect from the host nation after his side’s 39-28 victory in the series opener. Amid an ‘orchestrated campaign’ by Australian ex-players and media to undermine the tourists, he stirred the pot again yesterday ahead of Saturday’s second Test at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
In the aftermath of the first encounter three days ago, former Wallabies captain Phil Kearns claimed Dan Cole was scrummaging illegally as he took control against Australia loosehead Scott Sio, who was eventually sent to the sin-bin.
‘Dan Cole was angling right in the whole time,’ he said. ‘It’s obvious to see. Cole was dominant but referees, take a long, hard look at yourself.’
Jones rejected the cheating accusations, saying: ‘Every side I coach, I coach them to play legally. We want to play legally, we want to scrum straight, we want to scrum square and we want to scrum at them.
‘ We were disappointed on the weekend that we weren’t allowed to scrum at them. A couple of times when we were allowed to scrum, we took them.
‘It’s an area we want to dominate. We’ll make sure our scrum is well prepared, we’ll be ready for any tricks the Australians have. I’ve got great confidence in Craig Joubert — he won’t let Phil Kearns referee the game. If Phil Kearns was refereeing, Australia would win every game.
‘ Phil is part of an organised campaign, he is playing his role and playing it well. It’s Dan Cole’s turn. It’ll be someone else next. Maybe me. I hope they keep taking me because it takes the pressure off the team. Dan’s been around the traps. He knows what to expect.’
Having been forced on to the defensive, Jones swiftly went on the attack. Asked where the Wallabies needed to improve, he said: ‘Their lineout has been under pressure. I’m sure (Wallabies captain) Stephen Moore, a seasoned international with 100 Tests, will be worried about that.’
Jones twisted the knife, adding: ‘The physicality of the game. That’s an area I’m sure the Wallabies were disappointed with. Scrummaging is another area they will look to address. Maybe they will start with (Sekope) Kepu but we don’t know what condition he’s come back from France in.’
England’s head coach even turned the heat on the home union and their chief executive, Bill Pulver, who issued reassurances about the state of the AAMI Park pitch — which has been in a dire state during the Super Rugby season.
Jones said, pointedly: ‘Hopefully the surface will be good. Bill Pulver has a lot on his plate but I’m sure he will make sure it is right. I’ve heard (about the pitch) and watched games on TV but both teams have to play on it so why worry? All I have to do is hope that the ARU and Bill Pulver get it right.’
Mike Brown, James Haskell and Courtney Lawes all missed training yesterday but Jones insisted the trio were merely rested and that they will join the squad as normal today.
During the session, George Ford and Owen Farrell were operating in tandem as the 10-12 double act, raising the prospect of the pair being reunited from the start on Saturday.
As well as pairings, Jones acknowledged the importance of individuals, saying: ‘It only takes one player to get complacent. Complacency is around the corner and you need to make sure it doesn’t come in.’