Eddie Jones to take All Blacks frustration out on his former side by vowing to 'smash' Japan

Despite leading Japan to the biggest upset victory in Rugby World Cup history three years ago, Jones will have no time for sentiment this weekend

Eddie Jones plans on taking his frustration at Saturday’s defeat by the All Blacks out on his former team after instructing England to “smash” Japan when they come to Twickenham for the first time this weekend.

In what will be only the second meeting between the two nations, the Test will be a poignant one for Jones given that he left the Brave Blossoms in order to join England after the 2015 Rugby World Cup – a tournament where he memorably led them to the biggest international upset seen in defeating South Africa.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the visit of Japan would be a grand occasion for Jones and one that would see him rekindle the special relationship that they shared throughout his reign.

But you’d be wrong.

“I think there’s an impact for next week. If I was Japan I’d be worried,” said a ruthless Jones after Saturday’s near-miss against New Zealand, which saw England miss out on beating the reigning world champions for the first time since 2012 by a minimal 16-15 deficit.

“We want to smash them mate, physically smash them, because I know they’re going to come full of confidence. I’ve heard some of the things they’ve said, they’ve been a bit cheeky, so look out.”

What Jones was referencing towards is uncertain, but it’s understood to be a comment made by his former captain, the Japan flanker Michael Leitch, who claimed Jones had “bullied” them during his tenure in a comment that was made tongue-in-cheek upon the squad’s departure from Tokyo earlier this week.

“We’ve been bullied a lot by Eddie,” Leitch said. “We’d like to give it back by beating England, as a sign of gratitude.”

The Japanese side aren’t particularly known for their controversial comments, which makes Jones’ bold claim all the more surprising that he has taken offence to something.

There will be no room left for sentiment this weekend (Getty)

Asked whether what he would do this week if he was still Japan coach, Jones replied: “Pray, pray, pray. Go to the temple and pray. Just pray, it’s the best thing. We’re going to be absolutely ruthless.”

His confidence is unsurprising given how England have started their Quilter Internationals. Sure, there are problems to fix and defeat is never advised in the international game, but a win over the Springboks and an impressive showing against the All Blacks – in which they led 15-0 after just 24 minutes – has provided a timely injecting of morale ahead of their remaining matches with Japan and Australia.

But there is such a thing as overconfidence, just as the Springboks found to their their detriment three years ago on that famous day in Brighton. It proved the victory that had Jones labelled a genius for masterminding Japan’s first victory over South Africa, and while his side failed to reach the quarter-finals, they became the first team in World Cup history to win three pool games and not progress.

This time around, Jones will need to ensure that England do not suffer from a similar fate, with his determination to see something more similar to the 60-7 victory that England secured over Japan at the 1987 Rugby World Cup.

“The coach has changed, they’ve got a better coach now,” he said of the former New Zealand international Jamie Joseph, whose CV displays Super Rugby sides the Highlanders and Sunwolves as well as Wellington. “They’re a really well coached side Japan. I mean it, they’re seriously well coached.

“They’re the highest kicking team in the world, they’ve got a really good defence system, they’ve got some good young players coming through.

“We’re taking it seriously and that’s why we have to be absolutely ruthless about the game. If you want to come out and watch a Barbarians game, don’t come out, stay home. Watch Arsenal play Chelsea or whoever’s playing.”

Eddie Jones wants England to 'smash' his former side Japan on Saturday (AFP/Getty) (AFP)

Jones has hinted at making changes for this week’s clash, with players given an extra day off this week before a 25-man squad convenes at their Bagshot training base on Tuesday morning. The likes of George Ford, Jamie George and Danny Care could be handed a start this week after replacement roles in the last two games, but Manu Tuilagi is unlikely to feature as Jones continues to wrap the injury-prone centre in cotton wool.

“He’s 99.99 per cent and we won’t play him until he’s 100,” he said of Tuilagi, before playing down the prospect of wholesale changes. “It’s not logical. That’s illogical. How am I going to train them? I’ve got three days to train them.”

England will also monitor George Kruis after the lock picked up a calf injury on Saturday, while Tom Curry will miss up to six weeks with the ankle injury that he suffered in the win over the Springboks.