EDDIE HAS COME OUT SMELLING OF ROSES
KIND WORLD CUP DRAW HANDS ENGLAND COACH REUNION WITH JAPAN
EDDIE JONES was back in Tokyo yesterday when he discovered that his hunch was right — England were drawn against Japan in a winnable pool at the 2023 World Cup in France.
The national coach claimed to have predicted the prospect of his current team taking on his previous one, now run by ex-All Black Jamie Joseph. ‘I had this strong gut feeling that we were going to get Japan and I wasn’t disappointed,’ said Jones.
Just as significant for English prospects at the next global showpiece is the fact that they will also face Argentina at the round-robin stage. The Pumas — who claimed a maiden victory over the All Blacks last month — were the most dangerous of the third-ranked seeds in the draw made in Paris, so they will pose a significant threat.
However, for the Australian in charge of England, there is a personal dimension to the enticing scenario of a close encounter with the Brave Blossoms.
His mother is half Japanese, his wife is Japanese and by coaching the Asian nation to their historic victory over South Africa at the 2015 World Cup, he catapulted himself into position to take his current job.
When asked about divided loyalties in his household in 2023, Jones quipped: ‘I think my wife has already bought a half-English, half- Japanese shirt,’ he added: ‘Japan haven’t played for 12 months so there will be some movement in their team. We’ll keep a close eye on them. The Japanese will be desperate to beat us.’
There was global acclaim for Japan’s rugby as well as their organisational - feats when they hosted last year’s tournament, as Joseph’s men beat Ireland and Scotland to capture the imagination off their public by qualifying for the quarter-finals.
Jones regards them as a dangerous proposition, given the structure which allows them to prepare diligently for 2023.
‘I know they have set up their league to completely support the Japan national team,’ he said. ‘The domestic league will go from January to May and then the national team has all the players from June to December — what other team has that?
‘So they are putting themselves in the best position to keep growing, they have good talent and the younger players in Japan believe they can beat teams from around the world. Given the support of the clubs for the national team, there is no reason why they won’t keep improving.’
Japan’s attacking approach earned a multitude of admirers at the 2019 event and Jones admitted he will have to be ready for tactical variety in Pool D. He added: ‘They play the game differently so we’re going to have to be really well prepared. Then you have Argentina, who played probably the mosmost physical game of rugby we saw in 202020, against the All Blacks. It is pprobably the most contrasting pool in terms of styles and philosophy.’
Joseph conceded that his team’s inactivity ‘ hasn’t helped’ but welcomed the challenge of taking on England and Argentina — ‘two powerhouse teams who have recently beaten the All Blacks’. While Jones pointed out that Japan’s squad will have long periods together, Joseph outlined their desperate need for marquee fixtures. They are not in a regular annual tournament and their domestic rugby is not of a standard to hone Test stars.
He also addressed the likely style clash, saying: ‘ The kind of athletes we have in Japan determines how we play. We could train for 100 years and not play like England. We have a style that will adjust over time.’
Jones would not be drawn on the prospect of a quarter-final against Wales or Australia, but he was more willing to discuss his preferred location for England’s World Cup base.
Recalling his role as a consultant to the victorious South Africans in 2007, he said: ‘ The place I did enjoy was Marseille. If the option was to be in the south of France I’d take that because I like the warm conditions.’
However, before any of his rookies start imagining a sunny month by the Mediterranean, there was a warning shot from Jones.
He spoke with satisfaction about the ‘rebuilding’ process of integrating newcomers into his squad but added: ‘ Those young guys have got to keep working hard. Sometimes in England they can get too far ahead of themselves too quickly.’
Wales were drawn against familiar foes — Australia and Fiji — with Georgia set to join them again as the Europe 1 qualifier.
Scotland were facing up to a daunting task in Pool B, where they will take on holders South Africa and Ireland. But the marquee pool fixture may launch the whole tournament because revitalised hosts France have New Zealand for company in Pool A.
Their intriguing showdown may be an early pointer about the ultimate balance of power.