Jones is dismayed by outcome but remains proud to see England retain self-discipline
Head coach Eddie Jones has praised his players’ conduct when England were controversially denied a late try in an enthralling 16-15 defeat to New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.
A famous victory appeared to be in sight in the 76th minute, when Sam Underhill grabbed a T J Perenara clearance charged down by Courtney Lawes and turned Beauden Barrett inside out to cross in the corner.
However, referee Jerome Garces disallowed the try following intervention from television match official Marius Jonker, who judged Lawes to be offside in a call that was marginal.
England responded with a late onslaught that failed to produce the winning score and Jones was impressed by the dignity displayed in agonising circumstances.
“It’s difficult to swallow, but you have to and you have to respect the referee. That’s enormously important,” Jones told BBC Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek programme yesterday morning.
“The players thought it was a try, but we are happy to follow what the TMO says. I was really proud of our players that they didn’t carry on on the field,” the Australian added.
“They just got on with it and tried to win the game again. It’s a real tribute to their character and how they respect the values of the game.
“It’s really important to keep that – we don’t challenge the referee on decisions, we don’t abuse him after the game.
“The referee is referring a difficult game and it’s only getting faster and more difficult, so we have to make sure keep supporting the referees.
“Rugby, golf and cricket – until the Australians did what they did recently – are the sports that have really stuck to their values.
“It’s important in today’s society that we keep that. It gives rugby a point of difference from other sports.”
For a second successive weekend at Twickenham, it was the officials who took centre stage at the critical phase of the match.
Against South Africa, fortune smiled on England as Angus Gardner decided that a ‘no-arms’ late tackle by Owen Farrell was legal, almost certainly sparing them defeat in the opening autumn international.
“Sometimes the game loves you, sometime the game doesn’t love you,” Jones said. “You’ve got to accept that, if you stay in the fight long enough, the game will love you.
“We’re prepared to stay in the fight so we will get some love further down the track, don’t worry.”
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen insisted that Lawes was clearly off-side after watching his world champions battle back from slipping 15-0 behind inside the first halfhour.
“He’s just about in the halfback’s back pocket. What was going through my mind was are they going to be brave enough to make the right decision? And they were,” Hansen said.
England had led from the second minute until the 60th minute as early tries by Chris Ashton and Dylan Hartley helped them to a scarcely believable 15-0 lead – Farrell kicked the rest of their points – that was gradually eroded.
Beauden Barrett nudged the All Blacks in front with a penalty as England’s play grew progressively worse. The momentum shift began late in the first half and was confirmed by a terrific try from McKenzie. Barrett kicked the rest of the visitors’ points.
Henry Slade played the whole game for England and was joined in the starting lineup by his Exeter Chiefs’ clubmate Ben Moon, who was replaced in the second half by Exeter’s Alec Hepburn.
The Chiefs’ Jack Nowell and Harry Williams also rose from the bench during the second half at Twickenham.