Eddie Jones told his England players they were free to do their worst after producing their best yet at this World Cup to thrash the United States, writes Alex Spink in Kobe.
Four days on from almost blowing the winning bonus point against Tonga, they left nothing to chance with a brutal demolition job on Gary Gold’s Eagles.
Seven tries to one and not an injury worth worrying about left Jones cock-a-hoop and happy to throw caution to the wind.
“They players are free, free to jump off boats in harbours,” he said in mischievous reference to Manu Tuilagi leaping off a ferry during England’s last overseas World Cup.
“Free to throw things around,” he added, referencing ‘dwarf tossing’ night during the same campaign in 2011 which did such damage to the reputation of the national team.
“Points wise we’re in a great position. We’ve got all that we can get, a great for-and-against and no injuries. It’s remarkable. We could conceivably have all 31 players available to select next week.
“We’ve gone through stage one. Now we get off the bike a little bit, refuel and then go again.”
Putting up hostages to fortune like this does not tend to be Jones’ style, particularly knowing that England as a rugby nation has a chequered past.
It was almost as if it was his way of saying ‘don’t worry about what has gone before, I’m here now and everything is going to be alright’.
It certainly felt that way under the roof in Kobe Stadium where the air con disappointed but England emphatically did not.
Yes there was a rash and reckless challenge by centre Piers Francis from the opening kick-off which could well bring a citing when disciplinary chiefs take a closer look.
There was also immediate concern for Owen Farrell when he went down in reaction to taking a shoulder to the face from American flanker John Quill, who there and then saw the tournament’s first red card.
That apart there was so much to admire from England’s forwards - front row in particular - who gave George Ford the platform to control the game.
The skipper created momentum for his side by snatching the first try on five minutes, then made damn sure that as a group they surfed it to the end.
By the time Quill was given his marching orders England were six tries to the good: Billy Vunipola, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ruaridh McConnochie, Lewis Ludlam and Joe Cokanasiga, with the first of his two, having all crossed.
“We feel we let ourselves down badly,” said Gold. “I am proud that the guys did not roll over, but it was not good enough; we lost every single aspect of the game.
“We lost the collisions, we lost the set piece, we lost defensively and, most importantly, we lost the kicking game.”
He can add to the list young prop David Ainuu, lost to the game at the very first scrum, and fullback Will Hooley, lost to a worrying concussion.
“To lose David and Will and then Quill to a red card,” Gold said. “It was a calamity in Kobe.”
England now have a full week to prepare for Argentina, beaten by France in their Pool C opener after missing a late shot to win.
There is no doubt the hard work lies ahead of them but for one weekend Jones has not a care in the world.
ENGLAND - Tries: George Ford, Billy Vunipola, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Cokanasiga (2), Ruaridh McConnochie, Lewis Ludlam. Cons: George Ford 5.
USA - Try: Bryce Campbell. Con: JP MacGinty.
