England coach Eddie Jones believes Australia will present a far greater threat at Twickenham on Saturday (Sunday 0130 AEDT) than in his side’s 3-0 Test series whitewash earlier this year.
In a week dominated by verbal sparring between Jones and his opposite number Michael Cheika, the veteran coach expects the Wallabies to come out firing as they aim to end a difficult season on a positive note and crush England’s hopes of posting an unbeaten record in a calendar year for the first time.
“It’s their last chance for redemption, isn’t it,” Jones said.
“They’ve had a tough year, they can win this Test and go home happy. We win this Test and we create history, so we’re aiming to create history.”
Jones believes a change of focus has been the key to Australia’s improvement during the Spring tour and credited attack coach Stephen Larkham for being able to identify a need to change.
“They’ve gone back to a more Australian style of attack, flatter at the line, options inside and out,” he said.
“They were playing a lot of side to side rugby in June and I think they’ve really learned from that.
“Because of that, Foley’s playing a lot better. Genia did help in the previous games.
“(Nick) Phipps is going to have a big job tomorrow to fill those boots of Genia, who’s been playing exceptionally well.”
Jones expects Cheika’s decision to restore Lopeti Timani and Kane Douglas to the starting line-up is a sign of physical intent from the Wallabies coach.
“They’ve brought a couple of guys in like Kepu and Kane Douglas likes to throw himself around a bit. It’s going to be on for young and old tomorrow,” he said.
“To beat them we’ve got to break them mentally and physically and we know the first 20 minutes they’re going to come out like there’s no tomorrow, we know that.
“We’ve practised for that, we’re equipped to handle it and then we’ll win the game in the last 20.”
Jones said he was amused by Cheika’s spray at Glen Ella on Thursday with the Wallabies coach taking exception to comments made in the Daily Mail by the former England coaching assistant who played alongside him at Randwick.
“I think he’s still trying to get to the front of the bus,” he said.
“He’s not the most agile person these days and he gets stuck in the aisle sometimes.
“If he (Cheika) chooses to say that, that’s his choice. Everyone makes a choice in life, what they say and how they behave.
“He wants to behave like that. That’s entirely up to him. I think rugby’s a respectful game and we represent all the clubs, all the kids playing rugby, supporters and we want to behave in a respectful way.”
