England rugby coach Jones calls for respect from Australian press

Importer

November 28, 2016 10:16 AM

England head coach Eddie Jones has called for the media from his native Australia to show "respect" ahead of the two countries' year-ending showdown at Twickenham on Saturday.

England head coach Eddie Jones takes a team training session on November 24, 2016

Jones, whose side are chasing a record-equalling 14th straight win, branded Australian press coverage during England's 3-0 series whitewash Down Under in June "demeaning, disrespectful and disgusting".

His main target was ex-Australia flanker turned reporter Stephen Hoiles, who apologised for an innuendo-laden post-match question, and Jones is bracing himself for more of the same.

"Steve Hoiles will find something for sure," Jones said, in comments published by British newspapers on Monday.

"I think you should always be respectful. The game's built around traditions of respect and I think you should be respectful.

"We've all got a part to play -- players, coaches, fans, media, sponsors. We've all got to be respectful.

"Respect is why the game of rugby continues to grow and when you're disrespectful to the game, the game falters. And you can't afford to do that. I'm serious about it."

Since being humbled by Australia in the group phase of last year's World Cup on home soil, England have recorded three impressive wins over Michael Cheika's team.

But Australia bounced back to finish second in the 2016 Rugby Championship, the annual Southern Hemisphere rugby tournament, and were on course for a Grand Slam over the home nations until last Saturday's 27-24 loss to Ireland in Dublin.

"Having said all I've said, Australia are probably the most improved side in world rugby," Jones said.

"What they've done throughout the Rugby Championship and then on tour here is quite brilliant.

"Their attacks become a lot more varied, their alignment is better in attack, defensively they're making better decisions and key players have come back."

He added: "Australia's will to win is going to be enormously high. Our challenge is to make sure our will to win is higher than theirs.

"Tactically we'll beat them, but we've got to have a greater will to win than them. We've got to raise our efforts from this week.

"This is a one-off game against Australia -- the 3-0 series win has nothing to do with it."

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