Eddie Jones sidesteps Farrell and Francis incidents, preferring to instead praise World Rugby for its tier two work
Eddie Jones has avoided commenting on foul play and instead given praise to World Rugby’s attempts to make tier two nations such as the USA more competitive against the likes of England.
Jones’ charges followed up Sunday’s 35-3 win over Tonga with a 45-7 dismissal of the Americans in which opposition back row John Quill was red-carded for a high tackle on Owen Farrell near the end of a contest where England’s Piers Francis could face a potential citing for an earlier high challenge.
“This World Cup is unique because of the conditions and you are seeing the tier two countries physically better prepared,” said Jones. “We have played Tonga and the USA and all of them have big, physical packs and are fitter than they have ever been and it is a great thing for the World Cup.
"It is a credit to World Rugby - they don’t get too many credits and they deserve credit for driving tier two development. It is great for the game.
“In World Rugby, it is like a little brother who always wants more and look at tier two at the World Cup and they are better prepared, with young players coming through. While it’s not perfect it is going in the right direction.
(Continue reading below...)
“We are pleased where we are, with 10 points after two games and conceded just one try after two fantastic experiences. It is a great occasion and we are humbled to be part of it. We are in a good position and know that we will have to play better in our next game.”
Asked how Farrell was following the high hit the received from Quill, Jones quipped: “I think we are about to BBQ part of his nose. I think someone found a little bit. He is missing part of his nose, which is unfortunate, but he is married with a child, so he is going to be OK.”
Quill will now attend a hearing before an independent judicial committee comprising Nigel Hampton QC (New Zealand, chair), former international coach Frank Hadden (Scotland) and former referee Valeriu Toma (Romania) in Tokyo on a date to be agreed with the player and his representatives.
Regarding Francis potentially being cited for foul play, Jones added: “We never discuss that area and leave that to whoever it is and take whatever is handed out.”
England’s next group match comes against Argentina in Tokyo on October 5. “We will look at the conditions against Argentina. It is going to be a wet weather game and we will pick a team to play wet weather rugby.
“We understand they will be playing for their lives and are a passionate and proud rugby country. What is important is that we match their passion and play with a fair bit of control. They are a difficult team to beat.”
WATCH: Eddie Jones' post-match interview following England's win over the USA
Latest Comments
"fl's idea, if I can speak for him to speed things up, was for it to be semifinalists first, Champions Cup (any that somehow didn't make a league semi), then Challenge's semi finalists (which would most certainly have been outside their league semi's you'd think), then perhaps the quarter finalists of each in the same manner. I don't think he was suggesting whoever next performed best in Europe but didn't make those knockouts (like those round of 16 losers), I doubt that would ever happen."
That's not quite my idea.
For a 20 team champions cup I'd have 4 teams qualify from the previous years champions cup, and 4 from the previous years challenge cup. For a 16 team champions cup I'd have 3 teams qualify from the previous years champions cup, and 1 from the previous years challenge cup.
"The problem I mainly saw with his idea (much the same as you see, that league finish is a better indicator) is that you could have one of the best candidates lose in the quarters to the eventual champions, and so miss out for someone who got an easier ride, and also finished lower in the league, perhaps in their own league, and who you beat everytime."
If teams get a tough draw in the challenge cup quarters, they should have won more pool games and so got better seeding. My system is less about finding the best teams, and more about finding the teams who perform at the highest level in european competition.
Go to commentsWalter has been permanently psychologically damaged since his wife left him and moved in with a man from Sydney.
Go to comments