Eddie Jones may have been targeted by an irate compatriot in Sydney but Neil Back has called for those “fickle” England fans to also give the head coach a break.
World Cup winner Back wants the doubters who have been queuing up to demand a change since the Six Nations disappointment and then “calling for his head” after the First Test loss, to get behind the Aussie full-time.
Back says it was a much needed boost for Jones and his players to silence some of the critics with an outstanding series victory over the Wallabies after losing the opening clash.
Some of the heat has been taken off Jones, who has endured World Cup final heartache with the Wallabies and England, and would so dearly love to put that record straight in France next year before he quits the helm.
“Everyone wanted Eddie out after the First Test but it’s a very young side with players still trying to gain experience,” said Back. “The fact that such a youthful team can find a way to win a huge Test and series in Australia is a good sign a year or so before the main prize.
“But a lot of fans are so fickle, and Eddie stuck to his guns and he is the one smiling now. It’s always good to beat the Aussies even if they are not as good as they once were being ranked sixth in the world.
“Winning a series down there sets England up for the Autumn internationals where they take on South Africa, the current world champions, and also New Zealand. Those games will be the real tests for them.”
Back has been particularly impressed by Marcus Smith’s emergence as England’s No.10 having produced more memorable moments against the Wallabies, especially that crucial final Test try.
He says: “Smith has had three Tests on the bounce and as got better and better. Credit should also go to Owen Farrell who has been selfless in moving away from fly-half and giving Smith the reins.”
Back hopes the often outspoken and confrontational Jones will keep his powder dry from now on off the field if he is again approached by supporters trying to wind him up.
Jones called out one irate Aussie fan at the end of the Test in Sydney who screamed “traitor” at him but Back insists: “It’s bad form for someone to shout out ‘you’re a traitor’. He is not that by any stretch of the imagination.
“Every numpty out there is going to want to challenge him. He is going to waste a lot of energy if he is going to react like that. My view is to just walk past with smile and be the bigger man.”
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