Austin Healey says Eddie Jones must change attitude to rescue England's World Cup dream

Matt Jones - Editor 22:04 20/09/2018
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  • England coach Eddie Jones must change his attitude if the Red Rose are to rise to the heights previously ascended under the Australian, says Austin Healy.

    The former utility back believes England are currently residing in no man’s land, having previously been on the cusp of sharing the same rarefied air as world champions New Zealand following a revolution upon Jones’ arrival two years ago.

    Many would argue England stood toe-to-toe with the mighty All Blacks, having won 17 straight games after Jones took charge.

    Their 60-3 hammering of Uruguay in their final group game as they exited the 2015 Rugby World Cup on home soil in embarrassment at the first hurdle started a record-equaling 18-match winning streak – shared with the mighty men from the land of the long white cloud for Tier 1 nations.

    Jones led a new-look England to two Six Nations titles – one a Grand Slam – as well as a 3-0 conquest of Australia, a 2-0 whitewash of Argentina and victory over South Africa.

    Since a 13-9 defeat to Ireland in Dublin in the 2017 Six Nations, however – a result that ended hopes of a Grand Slam repeat – the wheels have come off the chariot.

    England were flying under Eddie Jones early on, including a 3-0 series whitewash of Australia.

    England were flying under Eddie Jones early on, including a 3-0 series whitewash of Australia.

    Of the last 13 games, England have won only eight, including a run of five defeats in a row, with those five coming in their last six games. Only a 25-10 triumph in a 2-1 series loss to South Africa this summer stopped the rot. And now their 2019 World Cup dreams lie in tatters.

    “They’ve gone from potentially the best side in the world alongside New Zealand to being, well, who knows,” said Healey bluntly, speaking at the annual Emirates Airline Rugby Long Lunch to launch the Dubai Rugby Sevens on Thursday.

    “Who knows where they are. And I think that’s probably the story of Eddie Jones. He’s gone through his two-year cycle. Everyone thought he’d be brilliant for two years and then he’d hit the buffers and that’s what’s happened.

    “Loads of staff have left, he’s fired a few people, loads of people at the RFU have been removed from their positions, there seems to be a lot of instability, which seems to be the way with it at the moment. Instability is the new norm.”

    England went from missing out on successive Six Nations Grand Slams in 2017 to fifth this year – with only Italy below them. It was their worst finish in the competition since 1987.

    “I don’t think they’ve got a better chance of finishing higher in the Six Nations this year,” Leicester Tigers legend Healey added, only half tongue in cheek.

    “I think they have only two games at home this year, right, the blues at home, France, Scotland and Italy, and everyone else away.

    “It’s the tougher round of fixtures this usually. If we can get a win in Wales and then fingers crossed. But they start off in Ireland which isn’t the best start. It’s a tough one.”

    Jones has previously been described as the Jose Mourinho of the rugby world – a Jekyll and Hyde character.

    Undoubtedly a brilliant and successful coach who can galvanise players and transform teams. But, ultimately, it doesn’t last as his divisive character and ego eventually sees him wear his welcome out.

    Healey was speaking at Thursday's Emirates Airline Rugby Long Lunch, an event in the build-up to the Dubai Sevens, taking place from November 29-December 1 this year.

    Healey was speaking at Thursday’s Emirates Airline Rugby Long Lunch, an event in the build-up to the Dubai Sevens, taking place from November 29-December 1 this year.

    And Healey feels Jones may well be entering Mourinho ‘third season syndrome’ territory – the Portuguese has never held a coaching job for more than three seasons, and believes the former Japan coach doesn’t have a life away from rugby.

    “I said when he took over he’s brilliant at breaking the status quo,” added Healey, capped 51 times by England and scorer of 15 tries, as well as the owner of two British & Irish Lions caps.

    “But for him to be a long term success he has to break his own status quo of constantly playing mind games with people, because you need some continuity, continuity of coaching staff. You need relaxed players. So you can make progress naturally.

    “The guys (coaching staff) were getting emails at 05:30 in the morning and expected to answer them by 6am. I’d answer it by 6pm the following day if I was working for him but you’ve got to have a life. I don’t think you breed any new ideas if you’re so engrossed in the sport.”

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