Eddie Jones is canny, he knew his England team had underperformed massively on Sunday, so got on the front foot to create a distraction, and attacked Italy for doing a "Trevor Chappell", in essence, exhibiting unsportsmanlike behaviour. Italy did nothing of the sort and were deservedly 10-5 ahead at half time.
Eddie was obviously trying to protect his players, especially the likes of Owen Farrell, who had a "shocker", from critical press headlines. How Dylan Hartley, James Haskell and the rest of the England elite are not able to think on their feet and play what's in front of them at their stages of their careers is astonishing. Australia have used the tactic, as have the Waikato Chiefs and Toulouse. The reason they don't use it all the time is that most decent teams work out quickly how to counteract it, but not England, the dream team just one win away from equalling New Zealand's record.
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| What do you mean "we have to work it out?" |
Jones is now calling for World Rugby to change the laws (with apparent RFU support), which is an insult to all coaches at all levels. Give us a break, they should turn the tables and throw the book at him. The problem is that so many "Academy" professionals in the modern game are overcoached so can't react to a scenario like that - England, like many teams also lack true leaders capable of coping under pressure and adapting the game plan. Eddie should look at his own performance as he wasn't quick at getting an alternative strategy onto the pitch via a water boy.
If I was Scotland in two weeks time, I would repeat....repeat...repeat
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