sport news Michael Cheika backs under-fire England head coach Eddie Jones trends now
The last time England came to Australia, Michael Cheika tried in vain to ambush Eddie Jones. This time, he is offering support to his former team-mate and coaching rival, while plotting a salvage operation on another continent.
In 2016, Cheika was in charge of the Wallabies, who had reached the World Cup Final the previous November, but endured a 3-0 series whitewash at the hands of Jones’s revitalised Red Rose side.
The men who once both represented Randwick RFC in Sydney traded verbal blows in the course of three tempestuous weeks as England claimed historic victories in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
Eddie Jones and Michael Cheika have had some fascinating battles over the years
Six years on, Jones is Down Under again and backed into a corner after another grim, three-defeat Six Nations campaign followed by a half-century mauling at the hands of the Barbarians eight days ago.
But the national coach has received a timely endorsement from Cheika, who will follow events here with interest, as he prepares for his first Test in charge of Argentina – England’s next visitors to Twickenham and their first World Cup opponents next year.
‘Eddie has done a fantastic job with England,’ said Cheika, with the first-hand experience of a man who endured seven consecutive defeats against him – the last of which led to the end of his five-year stint with Australia.
Jones is under pressure after overseeing England's poor first half of 2022
‘I know they (English public and media) go up and down with him, but he’s been there for more than six years and not many England coaches have lasted that long – and achieved the sorts of results that he’s been able to achieve.
‘It should be a really good series down in Australia, as the 2016 one was. It didn’t go well for us, but it was pretty entertaining.’
Cheika has noted how Jones is again going through a mid-World Cup cycle overhaul, adding: ‘We are playing them in November so we’ll have a chance to go up against them then. It looks like England are changing a bit.
Cheika has praised Jones's work with England, and expects him to get the team back on track
'Eddie has done that big World Cup mix-around like he did during the last cycle as well. He mixes it up and sees who is up for it and who’s ready to go next. Then he’ll narrow it down as it gets nearer to the tournament.
‘There’s no doubt England are going to be a serious threat. They are one of the best teams in the world and they’ve got good young players coming through as well. They are World Cup finalists from last time out so I’m sure they’re going to be a serious threat.’
England will seek to take their winning run against the Wallabies into double figures this month, at the expense of a home side now being overseen by Dave Rennie. Jones admires the Kiwi but he will miss the sparring with Cheika.
‘It was always good fun against Cheik,’ he said. ‘Knowing each other reasonably well and having a bit of fun on the international stage certainly added a bit to the game. Dave (Rennie) is a very respected coach but I don’t think we’ll have the same interaction. I’ve seen Cheik is still on the television, looking very smart, so I’m sure he’s going to be making some comments somewhere along the line.’
