Eddie Jones has revealed an interesting method he uses to coach his Japan side – watching videos of geese fly in formation.
Japan are facing Australia in a two-Test, home and away series this month, and Jones’ side were beaten 35-32 by the Wallabies in Osaka last weekend.
The former England coach has made five changes for the second Test in Townsville, Australia on Saturday, including picking university student Yoshitaka Yazaki on the wing and giving Shunsuke Uenobo his first start at centre.
Jones said Japan’s support play “wasn’t as sharp as we would have liked” in the opening game, so he has turned to nature to get his point across.
“The reason we watch videos of geese is that the head of the flock is like the ball-carrier,” the Australian said.
“The ball carrier is king, and then everyone else has got to follow after that.
“The geese fly hundreds, thousands of miles in formation and they follow the one goose in front, and it’s the responsibility of the support players to respond to what the ball-carrier does.”
Australia overcame an early red card for Miles Amatosero to defeat home side Japan and seal their first win under new head coach Les Kiss, who succeeded Joe Schmidt earlier this year.
With his geese videos in hand, Jones said Japan have “set ourselves the task of really taking it to Australia this week”.
He added: “We’re very disappointed to lose the last game, so the most important thing now is how we take on this game.”
