'This is their chance to launch that': Rennie not ruling out a curveball from Eddie Jones' England side

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie wonders if under-pressure England coach Eddie Jones might revamp his side’s style in July’s Test series in Australia.

Rennie insists he isn’t focused on the inevitable mind games employed by the former Wallabies mentor, who has been backed until next year’s World Cup despite England’s disappointing 2-3 Six Nations record.

But in tossing up a Jones tactical shift he managed to throw a curve ball of his own while addressing media at the culmination of a three-day Wallabies camp on the Gold Coast on Tuesday.

Rugby Workout Exercises

Rugby Workout Exercises

“He’s probably the most experienced international coach in the world, isn’t he,” Rennie said.

“Smart man, a team that’s well resourced; it’ll be interesting to see if they change how they play.

“You’d have to ask Eddie (about the mind games), but it’s not a big part of my focus.”

But could England revamp their game for the drier, faster pitches that will likely confront them in Perth, Brisbane and the SCG in July?

“It’s not an enormous amount of time to make a difference,” Rennie said.

“I’m not sure, maybe they have a plan to play a certain style at the World Cup and this is their chance to launch that.”

The SCG finale will be the venue’s first Test match since 1986, and the first in Sydney since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

They will also meet in Perth for the first time in 10 years and in Brisbane, where England remain the last nation to beat Australia at their Suncorp Stadium stronghold, back in 2016.

In fixtures announced on Tuesday, the Wallaroos will play two Tests in Queensland next month ahead of the World Cup in New Zealand – against Fijiana in a double-header with the Queensland Reds on May 6 and then Japan on the Gold Coast a week later.

Rennie can pick three non-Australian based players while he can also call on Kurtley Beale, who will return from France for the Waratahs next season.

And he said, like last year, players from outside this 40-man squad, could still find a spot in the side in Perth on July 2.

Australia have lost eight-straight Tests to England, and were humbled in their last trip here in 2016 when under Michael Cheika.

“It didn’t work out well for us last time,” captain Michael Hooper said.

“We have to change the story and we have a great opportunity here.”