London - England head coach Eddie Jones has called for the
media from his native Australia to show "respect" ahead of the two
countries' year-ending showdown at Twickenham on Saturday.
Jones, whose side are chasing a record-equalling 14th
straight win, branded Australian press coverage during England's 3-0 series
whitewash Down Under in June "demeaning, disrespectful and
disgusting".
His main target was ex-Australia flanker turned reporter
Stephen Hoiles, who apologised for an innuendo-laden post-match question, and
Jones is bracing himself for more of the same.
"Steve Hoiles will find something for sure," Jones said, in comments published by British newspapers on Monday.
"I think you should always be respectful. The game's built
around traditions of respect and I think you should be respectful.
"We've all got a part to play - players, coaches, fans,
media, sponsors. We've all got to be respectful.
"Respect is why the game of rugby continues to grow and
when you're disrespectful to the game, the game falters. And you can't afford
to do that. I'm serious about it."
Since being humbled by Australia in the group phase of last
year's World Cup on home soil, England have recorded three impressive wins over
Michael Cheika's team.
But Australia bounced back to finish second in the 2016 Rugby Championship, the annual Southern Hemisphere rugby tournament, and were on course for a Grand Slam over the home nations until last Saturday's 27-24 loss to Ireland in Dublin.
"Having said all I've said, Australia are probably the
most improved side in world rugby," Jones said.
"What they've done throughout the Rugby Championship
and then on tour here is quite brilliant.
"Their attacks become a lot more varied, their
alignment is better in attack, defensively they're making better decisions and
key players have come back."
He added: "Australia's will to win is going to be
enormously high. Our challenge is to make sure our will to win is higher than
theirs.
"Tactically we'll beat them, but we've got to have a
greater will to win than them. We've got to raise our efforts from this week.
"This is a one-off game against Australia - the 3-0 series win has nothing to do with it."