'Archaic' - Eddie Jones dismisses use of jersey numbers in new look England
Eddie Jones insists he will continue to challenge convention after releasing his England players from the obligations of their “archaic” jersey numbers.
Australia were dispatched 32-15 at Twickenham on Saturday to maintain the winning start to Jones’ ‘New England’ project, although it took until the 74th minute to extinguish the resistance of a dogged Wallabies side.
A feature of the Cook Cup clash was players operating out of position with Manu Tuilagi, Henry Slade and Freddie Steward frequently relocating to different parts of the back line.
Tuilagi popped up at outside centre rather than wing, Slade patrolled the backfield despite starting at 13 and Steward often took Tuilagi’s place out wide rather than perform his full-back duties.
And the shape shifting extended to the playmaking axis of fly-half Marcus Smith and inside centre Owen Farrell as Farrell repeatedly functioned as first receiver.
“We were always going to mix and match but unfortunately we’ve got to put fixed numbers on their backs,” Jones said.
“I’d prefer in rugby if we went to the basketball system where players could pick a number at the start of the year and that’s their number.
“Even if you put them in their traditional numbers it’s very rare that 12 passes to a 13 who passes to the wingers.
Teams making serious moves in the rankings. #WALvFJI #AutumnNationsSeries https://t.co/9nHZeOmMjP
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“The combinations are all different and the game has become a lot more fluid and transitional.
“As you saw against Australia, there was a strong set-piece contest and then a lot of transitional play. Numbers are fairly archaic.”
England raced out of the starting blocks in the second of this autumn’s three matches with Farrell and Smith combining beautifully to send Steward sprinting over, but the match became an arm-wrestle and their attack suffered as a result.
Steward was the star act as the 6’5” full-back performed more like a Test veteran than a 20-year-old who was winning his fourth cap and facing top tier opposition for the first time.
“Steward has a good head on him and he wants to improve. He’s able to communicate with the players around him and he’s got good awareness of where the ball is and where his support players are,” Jones said.
PLAYER RATINGS: A game that never took off but Eddie's England bagged the scrappy win nevertheless.
Here's how we rated the England players. #ENGvAUS #AUTUMNNATIONSSERIES https://t.co/U9IuVwE43J
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“He’s brave in the air and I haven’t seen an England full-back like him since Mike Brown. He’s courageous in the air like Mike Brown. He claims every ball and he’s only a young kid.”
England have injury concerns over Farrell and Jamie George for the climax to the autumn against South Africa on Saturday and are also considering whether to call up additional front row cover.
Farrell hobbled off late on with an ankle problem and George was unable to appear for the second half because of a knee issue.
Bevan Rodd, 21, made a distinguished debut at loosehead prop but Joe Marler does not leave self-isolation until Thursday and Ellis Genge misses the Springboks match because of Covid.
Eddie Cam, the gift that keeps on giving ? #AutumnNationsSeries #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/GKxq6I6uD6
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South Africa will provide a greater scrummaging threat than Australia and Trevor Davison, who is primarily a tighthead, is the only other option in the position currently in the squad.
England’s last meeting with the Springboks was in the 2019 World Cup final when they were conclusively beaten, but Jones rejects revenge as a motivation.
“That’s a nice media line, but they’re a different team now and we’re a different team. They’re the world champions, we’re not. It’s going to be an important Test between two very good teams,” Jones said.
“We want to finish off Autumn well. It’s the final game of the autumn so we’re looking at like it’s a final. We’re going to have to take them on and we’ll have to play differently to beat them.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments