'Who is he? Who is he? I don't know mate, you'll have to tell me'

England boss Eddie Jones claims he has never heard of Bradley Stubbs, the self-proclaimed ‘Coach Whisperer’ who says he has become too mellow since they worked together six years ago. Stubbs has made a name for himself in Australian sport as a guru of the subconscious mind, focused on reading energy and what he calls the science of belief.

He has worked with title-winning domestic football coaches across codes, including Graham Arnold, Trent Robinson and Michael Cheika. His phrase “expect to win – done, done, done” was well known when Kevin Walters introduced him to the Queensland State of Origin camp in 2019.

Stubbs says he was hired by the RFU in 2016 as one of Jones’ first consultants and helped the former Wallabies mentor go on the attack on the field and in the press during their successful tour of Australia after arriving as grand slam champions.

Bryan Habana, Jonny Hill’s hair pulling and South Africa’s revenge | RugbyPass Offload | Ep 41

Bryan Habana, Jonny Hill’s hair pulling and South Africa’s revenge | RugbyPass Offload | Ep 41

England have since crashed back to ground ahead of the next year’s 2023 World Cup, winning just two of their five recent Guinness Six Nations Tests and seeing an eight-game winning streak against the Wallabies ended in Perth last Saturday.

“I love the crazy, intense Eddie because that is when he f***ing wins,” Stubbs told The Times. “What I’m saying is, ‘Eddie, go back to what you were… back in 2016 it was attack, attack, attack. He has mellowed out.”

The England coach, though, on Thursday distanced himself from the colourful sidenote to Saturday’s second Test in Brisbane against the Wallabies. “Who is he? Who is he? I don’t know mate, you’ll have to tell me,” when asked his opinion of Stubbs’ comments. “Ask him to come around and see me… I don’t know who you’re talking about mate.”

Jones did agree his side needed more on-field punch, with England set to debut Australian-raised outside centre Guy Porter and winger Tommy Freeman while promoting half-back Jack van Poortvliet.