Jones calls on McHugh to be strong

Australia coach Eddie Jones today called for Irish referee David McHugh to strictly police the breakdown and clamp down on any infringements in order to promote the fast, running rugby style he wants to play against England on Saturday.

Jones is anxious that scrum-half George Gregan be allowed access to quick, clean ball, but is acutely aware of England’s tactics of slowing down possession retention in tackle and ruck situations.

Neil Back and Lawrence Dallaglio were both sin-binned for offences in that area during England’s victory over New Zealand last weekend, a match littered with penalties.

Beaten All Black captain Reuben Thorne claimed today that England, hailed for their sensational defensive performance, only won because of their ability to kill the ball.

And Jones clearly concurs.

“It is really important we have one of the most influential referees in the world refereeing the game and hopefully he will be very strict in enforcing the tackle and ruck laws to the letter,” said Jones.

“If he does I think we will get some good clean ball for both sides and we will be able to use it.

“If he doesn’t it will be an ugly affair, so we are hoping he will referee to the letter. I am encouraging the referee to be strict in that area.”

England captain Martin Johnson admitted his side must tread the fine line between slowing down Australian ball and falling foul of the referee if England are to stand a chance of victory.

“We got in trouble with the referee on Saturday and it nearly cost us the Test match,” he said.

“We have got to stay on the right side of the referee. He decides what is right and wrong on the day and we must adapt to it.

“It’s such a big part of the game, if you can slow down a team’s ball at the breakdown it makes defending a lot easier – but you have got to do it legally.

“We have got to stay on the right side of the ref. A guy like (New Zealand open-side flanker) Ritchie McCaw is very good at putting pressure on the breakdown and doing it legally, so is George Smith, who is not playing, and so is Phil Waugh.

“You have got to get these guys off the ball. They make the tackle, get on the feet quickly and get their hands and body on the ball and protect it well, and that’s half the battle.”

The England camp were disappointed at their inability to impose any form of consistent offensive authority on the game against New Zealand, but Thorne dismissed their tactics in Wellington as “negative”.

He even predicted that Australia would end England’s 12-match unbeaten run if Gregan is allowed clean ball to distribute.

“It will be a real shame if England’s (ball-killing tactics) continue through to the World Cup, because it’s not positive, teams just shutting each other down,” Thorne told the Herald.

“They’re a very professional, very well-drilled side and it was their defence and ability to kill the ball that got us in the end.

“I don’t know if England will play like that again. Even they said it was a messy game. If Australia can get fast ball from the breakdown, I think they’ll cause England a lot of trouble.

“Australia will certainly match them in the set pieces, and then it’s just up to what you do with the ball in hand.

“Australia have the ability to play some creative football, and if I had to pick it, I’d say they’ll win.”

Woodward said he was looking forward to unleashing his team in perfect conditions, under the roof at the Tela Dome and on a fast, hard pitch.

But Jones believes England will only open up if they can work the ball deep into Australian territory, choosing to keep it tight otherwise.

Therefore it is crucial, he said, for his side to maintain their discipline.

“Jonny Wilkinson has shown he can kick penalties from 60 metres,” said Jones.

“He is just outstanding. We have been working hard on it this year but our discipline at the tackle ruck has been much better. Hopefully we will be very diligent.”