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England to beat NZ in 3 years' time

Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2016 8:17 pm
by Lizard
So Eddie Jones, without much time at the helm and with basically the same players that flunked RWC2015, has won England its first Grand Slam since 2003. Rather than immediately declare his side world-beaters (as per the RFU manual) he has taken a disappointingly sober view of wins over the 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 14th ranked teams in the world and said England are 3 years away from beating the All Blacks.

A cynic might say he is trying to excuse losses in the next two years already, but in fact we aren't even currently scheduled to play England for nearly 3 years at best.

This year we've got Wales mid-year (England will be in Aussie) and Ireland (x2), Italy and France in November.
2017 is the Lions tour. England will take whoever is left to Argentina. Not sure what's happening end of year.
2018 France comes to visit. England goes to South Africa
2019 is RWC year.

Does anyone know if end of year tour schedules for 2017/18 are out? I'm sure we wouldn't go more than a year without playing England at home.

Re: England to beat NZ in 3 years' time

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 11:33 am
by rowan
Obviously he's alluding to the 2019 World Cup. I'd love to see it but won't hold my breath. :roll:

Re: England to beat NZ in 3 years' time

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:16 pm
by Which Tyler
As mentioned on the same thread on the EMB

a) He was answering a direct question posed by a journalist - he didn't just randomly say that.
b) NZ are the benchmark, and the right one to judge against; hence the question from random journalist.