Eddie Jones: England won't attempt to copy New Zealand's style
Sunday 9 October 2016 12:02, UK
Eddie Jones says England must not attempt to copy New Zealand in their bid to topple the All Blacks as the world's best team.
England have been in excellent form since Jones was appointed head coach, winning all nine of their matches under the Tasmanian.
But the benchmark in international rugby remains the world champion Kiwis, who recorded their sixth consecutive bonus-point win on Saturday with a 57-15 rout of South Africa in Durban.
The Rugby Championship
Their ability to play straightforward rugby but at great pace and with ruthless effectiveness is a template most aspirational sides attempt to follow.
Jones, however, feels England will only truly rival the best team in the world if they discover a playing style which is specific to their own strengths.
"The thing that really annoys me about rugby at the moment, and I've got to say it, is that everybody tries to copy New Zealand," Jones said in an interview in The Sunday Times.
"Why? Come up with your own game. Everything we're doing now is about coming up with a game to beat New Zealand and to make them uncomfortable.
"You can and hopefully will see that by 2018. One of the great opportunities we have here in England is that we can rebrand rugby, we can develop a new style that gives people an opportunity to play the game differently from New Zealand.
"That is exciting me more than anything."
