Eddie Jones: Referees to blame for stifling speed of the game
Eddie Jones is calling for referees to help Six Nations champions England develop their attacking game in the Autumn Nations tournament by cracking down on players stopping a contest for the ball at the break down.
Despite winning a third Six Nations title in five years, Jones is restless for change and has referees in his sights heading towards the Autumn tests that see England face Georgia, Wales and Ireland. He explained: “We want to play England rugby which is about set-piece and defence and we are looking to add to that and how quickly we can do that depends on the players coming through and the ability of our players to adapt.
“We are always looking to get better specifically and there are some ideas floating about. One of the things that has been paramount in rugby since the cornona(virus) situation has been transitional play going from attack to defence and defence to attack and we really haven’t seen that in the Six Nations because of the way the referees have interpreted the tackle.
“They are allowing attacking players to flop onto the ball consistently which you get back to that mid-paced game we have seen a lot of hard to get fast ball. The more you allow a contest the more chance to get quick ball and I know it sounds like a contradiction but that is how the game works.
“I prepared the team poorly for France (in the Six Nations) and that has been well documented at the start and the players’ approach to the rest of the tournament has been outstanding. They got on with the job and not looked for any excuses regardless of what has happened and played good tough, hard rugby to win the Six Nations. It is probably one of the toughest competitions in the world to win because it is such a competitive, physical contest and you have got to be at your best in every game.”
England received their trophy at their training base in London today having flown back from Rome where their 34-5 win was enough to take the title on points difference. Jones is acutely aware of the impending lockdown in England and how lucky his players are to still be allowed to take part in test rugby.
Jones said: “All of our players and staff are aware of their responsibilities and the next week we are giving the guys a bit of a break and then come in for the Georgia preparation and we have to be cognitive of the fact that everyone is looking at what we are doing. We have to be so gracious for the opportunity we have got and we are so lucky to be able to play international rugby when countries are in lockdown around Europe.
“We understand that responsibility and we will try to put smiles on peoples faces. We had the trophy presentation at the Lensbury after we came back from Rome and it was fantastic. The players walked to the stage, there were fireworks and Owen Farrell got to be Bill Beaumont ( chairman World Rugby) and put the medals around the players. The players enjoyed that solitary moment and then we are back to business.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Steve Borthwick deserves credit for releasing the shackles on his England side and letting them play in a manner that somewhat resembles the top sides in the Gallagher Premiership. Will they revert to type in New Zealand in July.?
20 Go to commentsJames Lowe wouldn't get in any other 6N team. He's a great example of Farrell’s brilliance, and the Irish system. He is slow. His footwork is poor. But he fits perfectly in that Irish system, and has a superb impact. But put him in another team, and he'll look bang average.
3 Go to commentsCrusaders reached their heights through recruitment of North Island players, often leaving those NI teams bereft of key players. Example: Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock robbed the Canes of their lineout and AB locks. For years the Canes have struggled at lock. This rabid recruitment was iniated by rule changes by a Crusader dominated NZR Head Office. Now this aggressive recruitment has back-fired, going after young inside back Hamilton Boys stars. They now have 4 Chiefs region 10s and not one with the requisite experience at Super level. Problems of their own making!
2 Go to commentsOver rated for a long time…exposed at scrum time too.
3 Go to comments“Firing me” should have been Gatland’s answer.
2 Go to commentsFinn Russell logic: “World” = 4 countries. Ireland may be at or near the top. FR’s bigger concern should be he and his fellow Scots (incl. the Bloemfontein ones) sliding back down to below top 10
42 Go to commentsMind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
3 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
3 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
20 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
3 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
3 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
20 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
20 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
20 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to comments