Eddie Jones has called on England to ignite the Twickenham crowd when they host New Zealand on Saturday, acknowledging the “massive effect” of his players’ response to the haka before their 2019 World Cup semi-final win. Jones compared the challenge of achieving a first home win over the All Blacks since 2012 as “climbing Mount Everest” but believes England can expose the weaknesses of their vaunted opponents.
Jones has recalled Billy Vunipola to his XV – shifting Sam Simmonds to blindside flanker in an eye-catching back row – with six of the side who began the 19-7 victory in Yokohama named to start. Six others have never played against the All Blacks before but Jones predicted that two who have – Maro Itoje and Manu Tuilagi – will be occupying New Zealand’s thoughts. Three years ago it was Tuilagi who scored England’s early try and Jones has also spoken with his players about the centre’s remarkable performance against the All Blacks 10 years ago. In 2019 his try came soon after England had lined up in a V formation while New Zealand performed the haka – a statement of intent which saw them fined for crossing the halfway line but one they successfully backed up.
