Cheika backs Jones to ‘do very well’

Editor

Michael Cheika is looking forward to his battle with new England head coach Eddie Jones next year when England tour Australia.

Cheika was speaking to the media at Twickenham after his Barbarians outfit were beaten by Argentina.

Revealing that Jones had passed on advice to Cheika in the past, the Wallabies head coach was proud of his fellow Australian, although he won't be wishing him well when the two sides meet next year.

"There's no such thing as friends when the game's on, brother," Cheika told AAP.

"When the game's on, it's the battlefield and when it's over, life returns to how we know it. There will be a bit of banter when the tour comes and that's good fun because we both enjoy that.

"I want Eddie to be happy, but I don't want him to do too well obviously. He's a bit older (seven years) so has given me the odd bit of advice here and there, which I've appreciated.

"I know that won't be happening any more though and he won't be wanting me to do well!

"That'll be the relationship and I'm looking forward to the opportunity of when we go up against each other.

"I'm really proud that we're both Australian and from the same club (Randwick), but will be doing battle in a different arena."

Cheika does believes however that Jones is an ideal fit for England and can bring them success as they look to build towards the Six Nations and beyond.

"I'm a mate of Eddie's so I can only speak highly of him. He'll be a good fit for what's required over here," Cheika added.

"He'll enjoy it, is an international level coach and will do very well. This is the sort of level he should be coaching at.

"He'll bring the style of play he believes will suit England best. I'm sure we'll see that pretty much straight away in the Six Nations. He will pick a staff to support what he wants to do and those will be the guys he'll be looking to bring through."