Michael Cheika not interested in mind games with England coach Eddie Jones
Australia coach Michael Cheika has refused to indulge in any mind games with England coach Eddie Jones ahead of the three-Test series between the two teams which starts on Saturday.
The Tasmania-born Jones is not unfamiliar to the Australian conditions as he has coached the Wallabies between 2001 and 2005 and will face a stern challenge as England are looking to register their maiden Test victory in the Australian soil.
Jones had earlier stated that he wants England to adopt the 'Bodyline' approach which he believes is essential when facing an aggressive team like Australia.
Meanwhile, Cheika had surprised everyone naming 10 uncapped players in the preliminary squad to face England which was trimmed later on following a training camp.
"It's all smoke from Cheika at the moment. He's boxing clever but I know there'll be no shock selections coming," Jones said.
Despite, the fierce rivalry between the two sides, Cheika does not want to target Jones with mindgames, instead wishes to remain focus on the Wallabies.
"Eddie hasn't really thrown many barbs. He hasn't called me fat or bald or anything like that. He hasn't been nasty," Cheika said.
"I want to dedicate all my energy to our guys and make sure I'm doing my job properly here.
"I don't want my players to think that all that stuff's going to win us the game. It's a bit of carry on, but what will win us the game is aggression, speed, good skills, hunger and being prepared to do whatever it takes.
"We look at it in a different way where we are working internally around our mental strength.
"History has proven it's not good to fight a war on two fronts so my focus has been on our team. I just want the guys to improve.
"Eddie is just doing what he thinks his team needs, so that's what he's doing to support his team."
Under Cheika in the last one-year, Australia have made a lot of progress winning 10 out of the 12 games played while also reaching the final of the 2015 World Cup. Wallabies are also second in the World Rugby Rankings behind the World Champions All Blacks.
Despite, the success, Cheika warned his team against complaceny and wants to start fresh in the upcoming Test series against England.
"Your performances and good performances have to be earned and re-earned again," he said. "We feel very passionate about wanting to make the Wallabies a team that everyone wants to be a part of in Australia.
"To do that we have got to continually re-earn belief, confidence and support by performing the best we possibly can.
"I am not saying even always winning, more performing the best we possibly can to get that kind of respect.
"This 2016 team is a very different team and it would be foolish to think that anything that has happened in the past is going to help this team perform bar the connections that we have made as people between us since we have got together."
