•
England coach believes
New Zealand holding themselves back• Jones: ‘Last thing you want is to be flying before World Cup’Eddie Jones believes New Zealand have been holding themselves back for the World Cup. The All Blacks finished third in the Rugby Championship, their lowest placing this century, and have this month faced losing top position in the world rankings for the first time in a decade. The England
World Cup winner Ben Cohen was among those to say New Zealand were no longer the favourites for this year’s tournament after their home draw to
South Africa and heavy defeat in Australia, but the England head coach has advised caution.
“The last thing you want to be is flying before the World Cup,” he said, speaking before Saturday’s 36-0 All Blacks win against Australia. “When you fly, you have to come down. You go into some games [before the tournament] under-prepared. Are you telling me that New Zealand have been going 100%? Look at it historically. Before New Zealand won the last two World Cups, they would go absolutely balls-out in the Tri-Nations.