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Jones wants Chappell-like England resolve

3 minute read

England rugby coach Eddie Jones says he wants his team to play like they own the SCG, as former Australian cricket captain Ian Chappell did during his hey-day.

EDDIE JONES.
EDDIE JONES. Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images

Eddie Jones has conjured ghosts of the SCG past to help England conquer the Wallabies in their deciding rugby Test in Sydney.

The master coach has based the England team at Coogee - his former stomping ground - as preparations ramped up for Saturday's third Test, which will crown the inaugural Ella-Mobbs trophy winner.

With the Test just up the road at the famous cricket ground being the first since 1986 - and possibly the last with the rebuilt Sydney Football Stadium soon to open - Jones tapped into the history of the venue as a theme for his team.

He referenced the bitter 1970-71 Ashes series when England quick John Snow felled Australian tail-ender Terry Jenner, as well as NRL club South Sydney's glory days.

"It's a famous old ground and I've got great memories going out and watching Souths play - the great old days of Souths, and watching many an Ashes Test series," said Jones.

"I was out there when (John) Snow knocked out (Terry] Jenner and there was obviously the bit of discourse going on between the fans and John Snow.

"And I was watching when Ian Chappell strode on for his first time as Australian captain.

"That's how we want to play on Saturday, like Ian Chappell walked on the the field and owned it.

"We want to play with plenty of purpose, play with plenty of energy, play together and we're looking forward to the challenge."

A Randwick rugby stalwart, Jones has called on some former teammates, including World Cup-winning flanker Simon Poidevin, who brought his rugby-playing son Christian to assist with training.

Jones said some of his players were unaware of the cachet Poidevin senior carried.

"The younger players don't know who he is - they just see some old guy with a dog. A pretty fit old guy with a dog," Jones said.

"But he's chatted to a few of our players and we had almost a traditional Randwick barbecue yesterday. The only thing that was missing was the beers.

"That was good fun. It's been a really good week for the players. They've trained hard and recovered well."

While he was in high spirits following their Brisbane win, Jones also gave the Australian team a slap, feeling the Wallabies, who only flew into Sydney from their Gold Coast camp late Thursday, could have done more to promote the game.

"I've been disappointed in the media coverage," he said.

"There's always a battle with NRL and AFL, isn't it? We know that. We need rugby to be bit more prominent and I think we're doing our bit.

"I've been to a charity lunch today, going out to coach in the community tonight. We're trying to build the game up - a one-all decider. There's got to be equal effort from the other team too."

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