Former Fylde RFC coach Mark Nelson says young players need to have experience of playing overseas to broaden their rugby experience if England are to catch up with the rest of the world and raise standards.
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Japan’s Defence Minister Gen Nakatani dropped a word of thanks to Jones into his press conference in Sydney after meeting with his Australian counterpart, Senator Marise Payne and Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop.
Jones was expected to coach the new Japanese Super Rugby team Sunwolves, who are co-based in Singapore and will play three matches at the National Stadium next year, before he opted to join the Stormers at the end of the World Cup.
Jones concedes players left demoralised by the failure to advance from the group stage of the World Cup – England’s worst tournament performance – will require a few lifting. England may have talent (though they have yet to really prove it in the Six Nations or consistently against the Southern Hemisphere), but nobody could sensibly credit them with “cohesion” at the World Cup.
Eddie Jones is the first foreigner to take on the role, and most England fans, along with myself, would have liked to have seen an English head coach taking charge of their home nation – just as Eddie did in the 2003 World Cup final, when his Australian side lost to England.
A move away from the power-obsessed, no-risk rugby that was so badly exposed at the World Cup can be expected. The players have to understand that when I’m talking to them the only reason I’m talking to them is to improve them as players.
Jones has always excelled at the verbal side of the coaching game and he made it clear he remained a sharp operator in that field when he told British media at his unveiling that he was confident he could transform the ailing England programme into something much healthier during his four-year term. “I’ve got to look at the players and say: Right, can you help this team win?” We want the All Blacks to be looking at England.
“The opportunity to take the reins in, possibly, the world’s most high profile global rugby job doesn’t come along every day however, and I feel fortunate to be given the opportunity”.
In light of those comments, and the general feeling that England were a poorer side without the selection of a genuine No. 7 in the mould of a David Pocock or Michael Hooper, the odds on Jones retaining Robshaw as a starter, let alone as the captain, must be lengthy.
“What we have to do is create a unique style of play, a style that suits us – one that the players can believe in”.
“If we get that right, then we’ll have a strong side”.
Though unwilling to directly challenge the rule which prohibits players from outside English rugby to play for the national team, Jones does appear willing to at least consider activating the “exceptional circumstances” clause in the Rugby Football Union regulations which could yet see Armitage – a triple European Cup victor – recalled.
“I’ll sit down with Chris and have a chat with him”, he said. “Richie -McCaw sprints from one drill to the next in training, he cleans the dressing room after games, and those are the sort of guys you want”.
Other inquiries delved into his regular critiques of the red rose game but Jones evaded those with the ability he showed to coach the Stormers for a week and then up sticks for Twickers.
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‘You always have a bit of a view when you’re outside the tent, ‘ he said. That’s what I think of with Eddie, now the dust has settled and the scars have healed – because it is hard work, working with him. “I was probably being a bit naughty”, he said. You can do a lot with players in four years and then it is time for someone else to do it.
