NEALE HARVEY talks to Australian backline guru Glen Ella about his recent England experiences and how Eddie Jones has inspired a dramatic change in his players’ thinking.
Glen Ella, the Aussie attack guru hired by Eddie Jones to hone England’s back line skills on their hugely successful recent tours of Australia and Argentina, reckons the Red Rose outfit are bang on course in their quest to unseat world champions New Zealand.
With Japan 2019 now just over two years away, England’s record under Jones reads impressively, with 19 wins and a single loss since he took charge of affairs 18 months ago in the wake of a disastrous 2015 World Cup campaign under Stuart Lancaster.
More importantly, however, Ella believes England are close to achieving the attacking edge necessary to worry a New Zealand side who, despite recently losing and drawing matches against the Lions, remain the benchmark in terms of attacking threat.
A Rugby Paper survey reveals that under the wily Jones, England have rediscovered their attacking zest to the extent that during 2016 and 2017 they have averaged 32 points and 3.5 tries per game – their highest scoring rate since Sir Clive Woodward’s potent World Cup winners took world rugby by storm during English rugby’s golden period in 2002 and 2003.
Allied to the strength-in-depth that manifested itself impressively in Argentina, when a squad containing 17 uncapped players took on and defeated the Pumas in their own backyard, former Wallaby Ella is delighted to have contributed to the turnaround.
Speaking from his home in Sydney last week, Ella said: “If you’re going to beat New Zealand in a World Cup you’re going to have to score tries. You can’t just rely on kicking goals, you have to go at them and need to develop your game – and that goes from first phase to the backs playing what’s in front of them.
“Eddie knows where England are at the moment; every other country in the world is chasing the All Blacks and he knows what’s needed to close the gap.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 23, 2017-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 23, 2017-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen
HOOKER Ieuan Morris came off the bench to settle matters for Ebbw Vale at Carmarthen Quins with his stunning second half hat-trick completing a 39-11 victory in Super Rygbi Cymru.
Joe keen to follow in family footsteps
JOE Ford is leading the charge to take Doncaster Knights to the promised land but says they have a long way to go before that becomes reality.
Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry
COVENTRY ended the first five-match block of fixtures as the Championship’s only unbeaten side and full-back Charlie Robson has his sights set on promotion, and eventually playing for England.
Hancox joins the 200 club
AFTER 10 years of donning the red, black and yellow shirt for Bournemouth, skipper Grant Hancox made his 200th appearance this month after their Regional 2 South Central clash against Winchester.
Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under
FORMER Cornish Pirates back row Bear Williams has flourished in making the difficult transition from rugby union to league and has plans to play in Australia’s NRL. `
To play in two World Cups was a dream
RUGBY started quite late for me.
Call time on this pantomime ploy
THIS 60-second shot clock twaddle. If we must continue to plough down this blind alley it needs to apply from the moment the referee awards the penalty. If the authorities are going to put some stick about at least do it properly and with conviction.
Coetzee's pulling his weight again
WHETHER he starts or comes off the bench, Jaco Coetzee is just happy to be contributing fully to Bath’s revival after an injury-hit start to his career in blue, black and white.
Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...
BLAIR Murray began the week ‘in a state of shock’ at having gone from nowhere on one side of the world to the starting grid for the autumn Tests on the other.
We need to kick on after winning at last
Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run