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Jones lobs verbal grenades at Wallabies

Eddie Jones says he plans a pre-match meeting with the referee to discuss Australia's scrum - much to the surprise of Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.

England's Eddie Jones has lobbed more grenades ahead of the Wallabies' season-ending Test, declaring it will be his team's "best win of the year".

Jones also said he planned to meet with South African referee Jaco Peyper during the week about Australia's scrummaging - a point which drew a sharp response from Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.

Ex-Wallabies coach Jones wasted no time in taking shots at his former employers ahead of the fourth match-up between the two nations this year, following England's 3-0 sweep of the June series in Australia.

"I'm looking forward to the game. It will be a lot of fun," said Jones after England's 27-14 home victory over Argentina on Saturday..

The best win (of the year) is to come. Australia will be the best win."

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The scrum has typically been a contentious area in matches between England and Australia, and that proved to be the case during last year's World Cup.

In the Wallabies' group stage victory the England scrum was dismantled, and controversial prop Joe Marler copped multiple penalties before being hooked.

Cheika's demands of the Australian scrum are that they stay straight, and stay upright: requests which weren't delivered against France last week.

"We are very keen to speak with the referee (Peyper) about Australia's scrummaging," said Jones

"They have issues with it and I will invite their coaching team to come along.

"We will submit an agenda and make sure that everything is above board.

"They were penalised four times in a row against France so they have got some technical issues. I am not going to sort it out for them."

Cheika appeared bemused by that foray from Jones.

"About our scrum? Our scrum got penalised everywhere tonight so they should be pushing us around no drama I'd say," said Cheika, following his team's 27-24 loss to Ireland at Dublin on Saturday night which ended the dream of a grand slam.

"I don't know why he'd be worried about our scrum.

"I'm not sure what we're doing wrong, but maybe that'll be a conversation for next week perhaps when we get to England."

England have some personnel problems, with winger Elliot Daly facing a suspension after being red-carded for a dangerous challenge on Argentina's Leonardo Senatore.

Star No.8 Billy Vunipola is also considered next to no chance of taking on the Wallabies as he faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a knee injury.


3 min read

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Source: AAP



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