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'Who is he? Who is he? I don't know mate, you'll have to tell me'
By AAP
England boss Eddie Jones claims he has never heard of Bradley Stubbs, the self-proclaimed ‘Coach Whisperer’ who says he has become too mellow since they worked together six years ago. Stubbs has made a name for himself in Australian sport as a guru of the subconscious mind, focused on reading energy and what he calls the science of belief.
He has worked with title-winning domestic football coaches across codes, including Graham Arnold, Trent Robinson and Michael Cheika. His phrase "expect to win - done, done, done" was well known when Kevin Walters introduced him to the Queensland State of Origin camp in 2019.
Stubbs says he was hired by the RFU in 2016 as one of Jones' first consultants and helped the former Wallabies mentor go on the attack on the field and in the press during their successful tour of Australia after arriving as grand slam champions.
England have since crashed back to ground ahead of the next year's 2023 World Cup, winning just two of their five recent Guinness Six Nations Tests and seeing an eight-game winning streak against the Wallabies ended in Perth last Saturday.
"I love the crazy, intense Eddie because that is when he f***ing wins," Stubbs told The Times. "What I'm saying is, 'Eddie, go back to what you were... back in 2016 it was attack, attack, attack. He has mellowed out."
The England coach, though, on Thursday distanced himself from the colourful sidenote to Saturday's second Test in Brisbane against the Wallabies. "Who is he? Who is he? I don't know mate, you'll have to tell me," when asked his opinion of Stubbs' comments. “Ask him to come around and see me... I don't know who you're talking about mate."
Jones did agree his side needed more on-field punch, with England set to debut Australian-raised outside centre Guy Porter and winger Tommy Freeman while promoting half-back Jack van Poortvliet.
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Latest Comments
Ireland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
Go to commentsFair to say that NZ have come to respect Ireland, as have all teams. But it's a bit click-baitey to say that the game is the premier show-down for NZ.
SA has beaten NZ four times in a row, including in the RWC final.
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