BAGSHOT, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 15: England Head Coach, Eddie Jones looks on during a England Training Session at Pennyhill Park on November 15, 2022 in Bagshot, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson – RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)
Eddie Jones has recalled Billy Vunipola, Manu Tuilagi and Jack Nowell in a bid to make England ‘light up’ Twickenham when New Zealand arrive tomorrow.
It is the All Blacks’ first visit for five years and Jones wants a repeat of their last clash – a 19-7 win in the 2019 World Cup semi-final, which number eight Vunipola and centre Tuilagi both started.
That day, England faced the Haka with an audacious V-shape formation, with captain Owen Farrell – who wins his 100th cap tomorrow – at the point. It was a thrilling moment of sporting theatre that preceded one of the great performances in English rugby history and Jones has promised another spectacle.
‘We’ve got a responsibility to light the crowd up. We want to light the crowd up and whether it’s during the Haka or post the Haka, I don’t really care,’ he said.
‘The fans can be our 24th player. The noise they made against Japan [last week] was fantastic. The players felt the warmth and pride they brought, now it’s our responsibility to light them up.’
Reflecting on where teams go wrong against New Zealand, Jones said: ‘It’s always in the head, it’s always in the head. You either make a decision to go at them or you’re going to be a spectator.’
Games with the All Blacks are now so rare — England have met New Zealand twice since 2014 — this collision has generated excitement through sheer scarcity value.
Jones has repeatedly referenced England’s win ratio of 19 per cent against the traditional powerhouse of the sport, from 42 games, to illustrate the challenge.
‘Everyone’s excited. This is like if you’re a mountain climber going to the top of Everest,’ he added. ‘New Zealand are historically the most successful team in world rugby and the team you want to play against. It takes a massive effort to beat them and our players understand that. We’re prepared for it. We’re going after them.’
Jones has taken a risk picking Sam Simmonds at blindside flanker, meaning England will have two specialist number eights in the back row.
Marcus Smith continues at fly-half as he searches for better form. Jones said: ‘He understands there are ups and downs, he understands there is praise and criticism and you have got to accept it.’
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‘Whether it’s during the Haka or post the Haka, I don’t really care’
