Lions can tame Kiwis says Jones
EDDIE JONES concedes that new Zealand are currently a supreme force — but believes the British & irish Lions can beat them next summer.
Steve Hansen’s imperious side are clear at the top of the global rankings but England are no 2 and the Australian who has overseen the Red Rose revival this year says the gap is not vast.
‘it’s about three per cent,’ he said yesterday. ‘They’re good, they’re bloody good, but they are beatable. Like every team, they are beatable. You’ve got to target their weaknesses — and they’ve got significant weaknesses.’
England don’t face new Zealand until 2018 but a large contingent of English players should feature in the Lions squad in three Tests next summer. despite fears that the series will be a grim mismatch, Jones said: ‘i think they have a great chance.
‘Warren gatland is an experienced coach. Look at the strength of England, the consistency of Wales and ireland over the years, Scotland have been improving, and out of those four countries you can pick a very strong squad.’
He also claimed that the tour party should be encouraged by England’s 3-0 whitewash of Australia in June, adding: ‘Mentally, it makes a hell of a difference. it gives you that confidence.’
Since the disappointment of last year’s World Cup, there has been a stunning English surge in the world rankings, from eighth up to second on the back of a first grand Slam since 2003 and that humbling of the Wallabies.
Jones believes that at least 15 of his players will be selected for the Lions, with at least one of his assistants, Paul gustard and Steve Borthwick.
in time, he would like to see English coaches being sent south on a regular basis to enhance their education.
Jones said: ‘new Zealand develop their coaches in new Zealand, they coach to Super Rugby level, become successful, go overseas and coach in the northern hemisphere, so they get a full education. They come back to new Zealand and are ready to coach the All Blacks. English coaches need to get that other bit of the game which is in the southern hemisphere: the unstructured rugby; the organised chaos.’
That is a long-term project but next on the radar for Jones are South Africa, unbeaten by England since 2006, at Twickenham in november. He is confident that his men won’t be pushed around.
‘They’ll be physically relentless, they’ll be at us,’ he said. ‘That’s always been the way they play against England, but we’ll be mentally right for that game.’
Meanwhile, the Six nations is destined to remain in its traditional February-March slot in a revised international rugby calendar from late 2020, but June tours are likely to be scrapped at the end of World Cup seasons. Any changes are expected to be confirmed in november.
Eddie Jones is an ambassador for Mitsubishi Motors, the official performance partner of England Rugby.