Skip to content

England boss Eddie Jones wary of Steve Hansen's praise

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 25:  Eddie Jones head coach of England looks on during an England training session on the eve of their RBS 6 Nations match again
Image: Eddie Jones has admitted compliments from All Blacks coach Steve Hansen must be treated carefully

Eddie Jones has revealed he is treating New Zealand coach Steve Hansen's praising of his England team carefully.

England defeated Scotland 61-21 at Twickenham to retain the Six Nations title and register their 18th straight Test victory, equalling New Zealand's run from August 2015 to November 2016.

Hansen saluted England's achievement of equalling the All Blacks 18-game unbeaten run on Sunday, but Jones has admitted he is wary of such compliments.

"It's a bit like red riding hood and the wolf when the wolf comes dressed up as the grandmother," said Jones.

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 17: New Zealand All Black coach Steve Hansen during a training session at the Westmanstown Sports Complex on November 17, 2016 i
Image: Hansen had congratulated England on equalling his side's 18-game unbeaten run

"You always have to be careful when All Black coaches compliment you, you always have to be careful.

"We had a bit of a cleansing meeting when we were in camp in Oxford. Not that we felt we weren't doing what we needed to do, but we just felt we needed to reset our minds a little bit.

"It was about accepting that we've been successful. To me the English are quite reserved and they actually struggle quite a bit with success.

Also See:

"I know the perception from the Celts is that it's the opposite - they think the English are arrogant.

"As an Australian I think the English are very polite and reserved. And they struggle to actually carry that success around.

"What we said, and we had a great discussion, is that we have to acknowledge we've been successful and it's how much we want to be great now.

Jonathan Joseph breaks through to score against Scotland
Image: Jonathan Joseph's hat-trick secured England the Six Nations title

"I thought we were always going to play well against Scotland - and I think we'll play better this week."

The All Blacks' run, which included their 2015 World Cup triumph in England, could be overtaken by England when they face Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

England are wary ahead of the fixture, however, having lost a potential Grand Slam title in 2011 in Dublin. Ireland also ended New Zealand's record run in Chicago last autumn in November, their first victory over the All Blacks in 111 years.

"How many opportunities in your life do you get to beat Ireland in Ireland to win back-to-back Grand Slams? It's almost a childhood dream as a rugby player," Jones added.

"The players realise they have a once in a lifetime opportunity here. History shows that winning back-to-back Grand Slams happens once every 27 years.

Opposing coaches Steve Hansen the head coach of New Zealand and Joe Schmidt the head coach of Ireland shake hands, Soldier Field, Chicago
Image: Joe Schmidt's Ireland ended New Zealand's record run

"None of these players is going to be playing in 27 years so this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"Some guys carry a few scars from 2011 and those scars always help in the battle because you don't want them again.

"It is very easy for us to go from where we are to failures. We have worked too hard to want to be failures so we learn from the previous experiences.

"Failure is all relative, but we want to win back-to-back Grand Slams. We just have to try and play good rugby and our target is to be Grand Slam champions."

Around Sky