Most important for England, though, given the deep trough they have had to dig themselves out of after their humiliating exit from their own World Cup a year ago, was the confidence they showed in their own ability and game plan. “To change history, we’ve got that opportunity on Saturday night”.
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“I don’t know whether he’s going to be in or out, we’ll prepare as if he’s going to play”.
“We want to win the series and to win the series you have to win this Test, particularly when you’re an away team”.
They’re the second-best team in the world and they’ve got the world’s best coach (Michael Cheika) and the expectation is high for them, so the pressure is on them next week.
“It was just important to get the victory and continue the good work we did in the Six Nations”.
England, who led 29-13 midway through the second half, nearly let the match slip as Australia came storming back to get within four points at 32-28.
Burrell’s defence had been exposed on one occasion and the tactical shift proved a masterstroke as Ford was superb and set up two tries.
“When the referee asks the TMO “is there any reason why I can’t award the try?’ the TMO showed the pictures and just said ‘that’s the angle”.
“There are times you do things through a gut feeling”, said Jones.
That is certainly what they have done so far, with seven wins from seven games under the Jones regime.
However, there is a new-found belief in the England side and they refused to be dominated before showing their skills with some superb passages of play.
The development is a massive blow to the Wallabies, who trail 1-0 in the series following their 39-28 defeat in Brisbane and must seek to claw their way back into contention without their most influential player.
England completed the Grand Slam in Jones’ first season in charge, but the 56-year-old insists a three-Test series against the Wallabies offers a better gauge of Red Rose strength.
England, who held a 29-13 lead midway through the second half, nearly let the match slip from their grasp as Australia came storming back to get within four points at 32-28.
The head coach also paid tribute to the man-of-the-match James Haskell, describing the Wasps flanker as “really outstanding” opposite David Pocock, Australia’s breakdown king. He was physically good.
“We’re obviously disappointed to lose a player of David’s quality”, Cheika added.
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Meanwhile, critics rounded on Cheika’s decision to go with big-bodied centres Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani, instead of Christian Lealiifano at No.12, in the wake of England’s first-ever victory in Brisbane.
