Eddie Jones takes a pop at Catt
‘Tait too light and Barkley struggles in defence’
Former Australia coach Eddie Jones believes the English backs will be punished by the Wallabies during Sunday’s first Test in Sydney.
Jones, singled out England veteran centre Mike Catt, claiming that the veteran centre ducks out of challenges.
“Catt basically hasn’t made a tackle all season,” Jones told the Australian Daily Telegraph.
“He just doesn’t tackle. Even when he was at his best – and he’s now 34 – he struggled to make a tackle.”
Catt’s partner in the centre is Mathew Tait, who was also criticised by the Queensland Reds coach, who was sacked as Australia coach after their dismal European tour last year.
Jones admits the English backs are skilful, but they can expect to be targeted by the larger Wallabies outfit.
“Tait is a good young player but he is very light and Olly Barkley certainly struggles in defence,” Jones said.
“So I think Australia will play quite direct early. They’ll definitely look to get some superiority in the forwards, play pretty close to the pack early on and punch holes in and around [the midfield], then get some space out wide.”
England have picked a side that could expose Australia out wide, but Jones is expecting the English to play a ‘rush-up’ defence, a similar tactic used successfully by South Africa against the Wallabies.
“If you’re England you’d be giving [Mat] Rogers a bit of a sniff on the inside then try to close him up because you know his intention is to carry the ball,” he said.
“But Australia will have tactics to overcome that with [attack coach] Scotty Johnson there.”
England destroyed Australia in the scrum during last year’s Test, but Jones attributed that to inexperience and is expecting a better contest from the Wallabies pack this time.
“We lost a number of tight-heads in a short space of time,” he added.
“So we were playing catch up and it’s coming now with the evolution of this next generation of props.
“Rodney Blake has got it physically. He’s also got the right attitude and he’s a good footballer. But was he ready last year? The answer is no.”
