Japan boss Eddie Jones is not convinced that Chandler Cunningham-South is the answer to fill England\u2019s number eight jersey, particularly in the big Test matches.<\/p>\n
The Harlequins back-rower earned his first start in the England<\/a> number eight jumper against Fiji and put in a tidy shift, earning the Player of the Match award as voted for by fans, with Ben Earl claiming the official gong.<\/p>\n Cunningham-South made six carries in his 53-minute cameo against the Fijians, made one line break, beat four defenders and gained 61 running metres, but did concede a turnover. Defensively, he made nine tackles without missing, while he was a handy lineout option, winning four throws.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old has made waves in PREM Rugby since bursting on the scene with London Irish before joining Harlequins and attracting real interest from clubs across the league, before signing a contract extension with the Famous Quarters ahead of last weekend\u2019s encounter.<\/p>\n Flat-track bully?<\/p>\n However, former England boss Jones<\/a> has not yet bought into the hype as he feels that Cunningham-South<\/a> is a flat-track bully of sorts, as he is a weapon when his team is going forward but not as much when they aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n He alluded to as much when commenting on England\u2019s victory over Fiji on the Rugby Unity podcast, saying that he still has plenty to work on and develop in his game.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure about him,\u201d Jones remarked. \u201cHe\u2019s a good front-foot player.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you\u2019ve got the ball on the front foot, he\u2019s charging.<\/p>\n \u201cIt might be a thing of his age, but if he can develop that when the games get a bit tougher and a bit tighter, then he\u2019s going to be a good player. But he has to develop that into his game.\u201d<\/p>\n England great praises latest \u2018inventive\u2019 New Zealand tactic but calls on Maro Itoje and co. to target two areas of All Blacks \u2018vulnerability\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n While Jones was critical about the back-rower, he did praise England, who have now won their last nine matches on the bounce ahead of their crunch clash against the All Blacks.<\/p>\n He believes that much of their success has come from leaning into their traditional strengths, while new attack coach Lee Blackett has simplified their attack.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have very much gone back to their DNA. They\u2019ve gone to a strong kicking game, strong defence, and the changes they made in their attack,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think they\u2019ve simplified their attack. They attack a lot straighter than they used to play, and they\u2019ve got some good athleticism.<\/p>\n \u201cThe boy from Exeter [Immanuel Feyi-Waboso] has got great feet; he\u2019s hard to handle.\u201d<\/p>\n