Rugby World Cup: Eddie Jones hopes England can hit boiling point vs Argentina in baking-hot Tokyo
THE heat is on as England’s World Cup finally gets serious.
And boss Eddie Jones is hoping his players hit boiling point in the baking-hot Tokyo furnace that awaits them today.
Everyone knew they would hammer Tonga and USA in their first two Pool C games.
But the unpredictable Pumas can pounce and wreck England’s quarter-final quest — despite not beating them since 2009.
Jones said: “It’s a bit like a tea bag, isn’t it? You don’t know how good it is until you put it in hot water.”
Nothing can prepare England for what they are up against at the Tokyo Stadium.
After shock wins by Japan and Uruguay already, England have to keep their cool and show they can handle the pressure when a whole nation expects them to deliver.
Argentina have to win to save their World Cup and rip up the old order.
Jones said: “We’ve worked hard on creating training situations to equip the players, working hard off the field to handle situations well.”
With Jones’ strongest matchday 23 finally put together, there is added expectation on the squad too. Mako Vunipola and Jack Nowell’s return to the bench adds extra firepower.
PASSION = TOUGHNESS
And the Red Rose will need it if, as promised, the Pumas fight for their lives.
Aussie Jones added: “You have to be smart. Rugby is a tough, physical game and we have seen that already at this World Cup.
“The passion and pride come down to the toughness of your play.
“Then there’s emotional control. When you have a lot of passion and pride, it tends to multiply your strengths and weaknesses.
“We obviously want to multiply our strengths and attack their weaknesses.
“Argentina were very unlucky to lose to France. All the stats suggest they should have won. We’ve the greatest respect for Argentina.”
If they are to lift the World Cup, England have to win four out of their next five games.
With Jones narrowing his selection to pick his Test match animals, there are eight players who might not play another minute if all goes to plan.
But with a possible month to go, England’s tackle-bag holders and bag carriers cannot clock off yet.
Jones said: “Our philosophy is we’re a team of 31 and that’s how you win a World Cup.
“As the World Cups get more professional, they get more physically intense, so that unity is even more important.
“Every day we get another test, particularly on game day, when you get a bigger test. We’ve just got to front up to the test.
“You have to do your homework and if you’ve done your homework correctly, you get the result.”
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Argentina tried, and failed, to wind up England during the week with their “boring” jibes.
And they are likley to get more banter on the field when they take on the passionate South American side.
Skipper Owen Farrell said: “We’ve got to be prepared for anything. We’ve got to just get ourselves into the best place we can to play well.
“There’s obviously a lot of noise outside but in terms of what we’re doing, we’re in a good place.
“It’s good having everyone back. I reckon it would’ve been tough for the couple of lads who haven’t been involved in the preparations as much as they’d have liked to.
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“But everyone’s in good spirits and really working hard to make sure this team is as best prepared as it can be.
“We are excited for it and I’m sure Argentina are unbelievably excited for it too.
“They are a very passionate nation and I’m sure they’ll play like that.”
