We must handle abusive Aussie crowds, says Eddie
EDDIE JONES has told his players to prepare for a hostile reception Down Under ahead of today’s flight to Australia. During the 2016 tour, England’s arrival in Brisbane was overshadowed by Jones’s claims that he was subjected to heavyhanded treatment by airport customs.
The host broadcasters, Stan Sports, have already released a video of Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou crashing an English tea party, with Jones expecting more fun and games.
‘For Australians, it’s the biggest tour,’ he said. ‘I’m sure it’ll be fun. It is completely different conditions, really hard flat tracks, abusive crowds.
‘The Australians are in the face. The media are going to be in our face. They are aggressive. It is a really aggressive environment. You can learn so much about your players and your squad on those tours, and we’ve missed that.
‘I think they’ve sold out every game. It’s going to be huge. It’s going to be fantastic for rugby. It’s going to be fantastic for our squad. Australia tour, three Tests, sell-out crowd, 65,000 people in Perth, 55,000 in Brisbane, 45,000 in Sydney. You can’t think of a better experience against a good Australian team.’ England will begin the journey from Heathrow today, although the team will travel on separate flights because of a shortage of business-class seats. Jones has selected 10 veterans from the tour of 2016, when they set out with their famous ‘Bodyline’ approach that secured a clean sweep of victories.
‘We’ve gotta go after them,’ said Jones. ‘We’ve got a whole intention of going after them. Davie Rennie’s sides traditionally want to play on the front foot, so it’s going to be who wins the front foot. They’re a good team.
‘Their Super Rugby sides have been doing better. They’re packed full of Brumbies, which is my old club, so there’s some nice stories out there.’
One of the standout stories from the England squad is the return of scrum-half Danny Care. The 35-year-old has not started a Test since 2018 and Jones believes the firm pitches will suit his style.