English writer questions Eddies Jones' approach to not copy All Blacks

Julian Savea, Kieran Read and Beauden Barrett celebrate an All Blacks try. Photo / Jason Oxenham

One of England's top rugby writers has likened the All Blacks to sprint legend Usain Bolt.

And he believes the rest of the rugby world must have a long term aim of adopting some All Black attitudes if they are to stay within reach of the world champions.

The Guardian's Robert Kitson says it would be folly for teams like England to suddenly adopt the multi-skilled, high tempo game when they don't have the resources to implement it yet.

But while England coach Eddie Jones claims to be annoyed because "everyone tries to copy New Zealand", Kitson said "it would be churlish to to suggest the All Blacks have nothing to teach their pursuers."

Kitson wrote: "Attempting to copy that kind of thing from a standing start is akin to buying a couple of tins of emulsion and expecting to paint like Michelangelo. That is essentially what Jones was getting at.

"Common sense would suggest there is at least a thimble of wisdom these free-wheeling, modern-thinking All Blacks can offer the rest of the world.

"(Jones') England team will not be taught to run until they can walk, which is a slightly sobering assessment of the second-ranked team in the world. New Zealand, in contrast, are now showing their class with Usain Bolt consistency."

Kitson oozed admiration for the All Blacks demolition of South Africa.

"No side hit harder on the counterattack, none handle better flat to the gainline, none have forwards and backs who appear so absurdly interchangeable," he wrote.

"The try scored by TJ Perenara after a quite brilliant flat pass across the defence to a full-tilt Kieran Read followed by a one-handed catch by (Israel) Dagg and another one-handed offload from (Dane) Coles was merely the latest eye-popping example. Dan who? Richie who?"