Aussie coach takes a swipe at England tactics

WALLABY coach Eddie Jones has had a dig at England’s rugby-playing style, calling it “Premier League soccer” tactics, ahead of their rugby showdown in Melbourne next Saturday.

Jones, who has had a feisty relationship with English counterpart Clive Woodward since taking charge of the World Cup champions nearly two years ago, yesterday had a shot at England’s style of play.

Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson kicked all of England’s points with four penalties and a drop-goal as England claimed their first win over the All Blacks in New Zealand for 30 years with a 15-13 triumph in Wellington on Saturday.

However, it did not greatly impress Jones, whose Wallabies were far from convincing in disposing of Six Nations wooden-spooners Wales 30-10 just a few hours later.

Jones didn’t see much of the England match prior to his side’s kick-off, but he described their play as “Premier League Soccer:”

“They get down to the other end and have a few set plays and take what they can when they get down there. So, we’re really excited about the week ahead, we can’t wait to get down to Melbourne.”

Jones later said England had fully deserved their win over the All Blacks.

“England played very much the same way as they did in the Six Nations, they were very strong in the forward contest, their set piece work was outstanding and they played terrific field position,” he said.

England will be vying to win in Australia on Saturday for the first time in 11 internationals, since 1963 at the Docklands Stadium.

Woodward foreshadowed a testy build-up to the game when he said last week that he expected more mind games when the England team arrived in Melbourne this week:

“Other countries think they can get to you before matches with the media, that’s not our thing. Sometimes you get involved in games against other international teams where you get a lot of nonsense in the media.

“I personally don’t like it, I don’t think it does the game any good.

“We play one next week. I am sure it will be different when we arrive in sunny Australia.”

Wales coach Steve Hansen is one who thinks Australia will pose problems for the English in their Cook Cup battle:

“It’s going to be an interesting game, England, right now, are probably at the peak of their powers and certainly up front they are a very good side.”

In the meantime, Aussie fly-half Elton Flatley has been axed from the Wallaby rugby team to face England next weekend for disciplinary reasons, coach Eddie Jones said yesterday.

Flatley, who replaced injured Stephen Larkham in the Wallabies’ last two Test wins over Ireland and Wales, was dropped for one international match after failing to attend the team’s recovery session on Sunday.

The 26-year-old Queenslander slept in and missed the morning team gathering after a night out with friends celebrating the Wallabies’ 30-10 win.

“The Wallabies have a strict disciplinary code, failure to comply with that code can lead to the type of action we have taken with Elton,” Jones said.

“Everyone’s disappointed for Flats and Flats is disappointed in himself, but unfortunately he’s broken the team discipline code.

"It’s a hard lesson to pay, he’s a good young fellow, there’s not many better around than him and I’m sure he’ll learn his lesson and come back quickly.”

The sacking has left a major selection dilemma for Jones with Larkham not expected to be available until the Tri Nations series against New Zealand and South Africa in July.