Eddie Jones says England must outsmart South Africa in 'Rumble in the Jungle'
Friday 11 November 2016 10:51, UK
Eddie Jones has compared England's autumn opener against South Africa to the 'Rumble in the Jungle' between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
England, the grand slam champions, are targeting a first victory in the fixture since 2006, a barren spell spanning 12 Tests, and Jones insists that trying to match their opponents' physicality is the path to defeat.
To illustrate his point, he recalls how Ali overcame Foreman in the eighth round of their heavyweight showdown in Zaire in 1974 by using rope-a-dope tactics.
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Ali absorbed Foreman's most powerful blows before delivering the knockout punches once the champion had exhausted himself and Jones believes England need to be similarly wily when they face South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
"Against a physically aggressive side, you've got to play smart," Jones said.
"We won't be shying away from the physical side of the game, but when Muhammad Ali fought George Foreman, if he went toe to toe with him he was going to lose, so he had to find other ways of getting around him.
"We don't want to go toe to toe with South Africa because that's what they want to do. You never go into a game of rugby knowing what the opposition want to do, and then do it.
"We need to be physical in every game, but the tactical part against South Africa is different.
"Because of their overtness in their physicality they give you opportunities and we'll take those opportunities.
"Rugby is always physical. It's not a different challenge. The challenge for us is to be tactically smart."
Watch England v South Africa on Saturday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 2pm.
