Eddie’s comments fired us up says Japan coach
JAPAN head coach Jamie Joseph admitted that Eddie Jones’ comments about “smashing” Japan and telling them to “pray, pray, pray” had motivated his team.
He said: “Eddie Jones’ comments fired me up a bit but at the end of the day we still prepare how we prepare.
“Our mentality is slowly changing. We’re starting to believe that we can take these bigger teams on and that’s going to help us next year.
“We gave sloppy penalties away and allowed England back in which was a little bit disappointing, but I’m proud of the players all the same.”
England’s man of the match, Maro Itoje, said: “In international rugby, we know the opposition will have quality and Japan had a lot of quality; they didn’t give up.
“Their breakdown game was very strong and they did well in that area in the first half.
“Eddie spoke at halftime with Dylan (Hartley) as well as George (Ford). They spoke to the team to try to get us back on track. We just needed to up it. They were beating us round the corner and winning the one on ones.”
England fly-half and captain for the day Ford said: “It was obviously very disappointing in the first half; our attitude wasn’t quite right. That’s not good when you’re playing for England.
“The finishers made a massive difference. They’re there to come on and given energy to the game. They swung the game our way.
“It was disappointing that it had to come to that, but that’s what the squad is for.”