Jones wants England to follow Ali against Australia

England coach Eddie Jones believes his side are now at their most vulnerable as they go in search of a record-equalling win against his native Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

Victory in the final Test of the year will see England draw level with their national record of 14 consecutive wins set in 2002-03 under the regime of Clive Woodward, whose side went on to beat an Australia team coached by Jones in the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney.

In June, England whitewashed the Wallabies 3-0 in Australia but Jones said that would make them even more dangerous opponents, with the tourists desperate to atone for a 27-24 defeat by Ireland last weekend that scuppered their hopes of a Grand Slam.

"I think it makes us more vulnerable and them more hungry," said Jones. "Whenever you get beaten your attention is more and you want it more. 

"When you have had some wins your appetite is pretty full and it's a test of the mindset on Saturday."

Jones said the example of boxing great Muhammad Ali was one England should follow to maintain their drive. 

"To be the best in the world you have to be like Ali and go for those road runs every morning at 5:00am when no one notices. You have to have the relentless desire and pursuit of excellence."

England have won all 12 of their Tests under Jones, appointed after a World Cup where a victory over Uruguay came too late to prevent coach Stuart Lancaster getting the sack, with the tournament hosts having failed by then to qualify for the knockout phase. 

Having been without up to seven first-choice players during the end of year series, England are now missing forwards James Haskell, Maro Itoje and key No 8 Billy Vunipola, who suffered a knee injury during last week's 27-14 win over Argentina -- a match where wing Elliot Daly saw red for a dangerous tackle.

Nathan Hughes, set to make his full debut, replaces Vunipola, with Marland Yarde in for the suspended Daly.

- 'Rivalry' -

All the verbal jousting this week between Jones and Wallaby boss Michael Cheika, his former team-mate at Sydney club Randwick, over the 'illegality' of the other side's scrum has been reminiscent of the now Red Rose coach's spats with Woodward.

"This week’s been fun," said Jones. "The media's had fun -- good headlines. Cheika's had fun and everyone’s enjoying it. It’s great for rugby. 

"There’s nothing better than an Australia-England rivalry is there? I think it’s fantastic."

But he added England's defence would face its toughest test yet from an Australia attack revitalised by assistant coach Stephen Larkham.

"Steve’s done a great job. I thought he got swayed by New Zealand in June and went down a route that sent the Australians away from playing the Australian way. I think he’s got that back. 

"Their attack is definitely more threatening. Bernard Foley’s back to his form, attacking the line, Tevita Kuridrani at 13 and Reece Hodge at 12 has done pretty well for a young kid. They’ve got big wingers. Obviously (fullback Israel) Folau is always a big threat."

Cheika has make four changes to his side, with wing Sefa Naivalu, scrum-half Nick Phipps, back-row Lopeti Timani and lock Kane Douglas all recalled.

And while Jones feared his team were vulnerable, Cheika -- publicly at least - saw few signs of weakness in either Fiji-born Hughes or England.

"He’s a big man and he’s a powerful runner and a strong tackler -- I don’t see any vulnerabilities there," said Cheika of Hughes. 

"Thirteen (wins) in a row -- it’s pretty hard to see any vulnerabilities there in the opposition."

Source: AFP