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World Cup Wallabies Australian coach Jones unveils squad for title defensePosted: Wednesday December 11, 2002 7:28 AMSYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Eddie Jones made a huge concession for an Australian rugby union coach Wednesday, saying England was the best team in the world this month. Jones announced a 38-man Australian squad Wednesday that will go into camp in January to prepare for a defense of the World Cup in Australia next October and November. He admitted the world champion Australians had slipped behind England and France with a 6-4 record in tests this year, but the hosts could "definitely" retain the World Cup. Only one percent separated the top five rugby nations, he said. "I'd say right at this moment that possibly England and France are the best teams in the world," Jones said. But "England haven't been tested outside of Twickenham and it will be interesting to see when they play on flat tracks during June how much improvement they've made." England edged Australia in a last-minute 32-31 win last month at Twickenham, near London, to notch its third consecutive win over the Wallabies, although the English haven't toured Down Under since they were thrashed 76-0 at Brisbane in June, 1998. Jones said France had recovered from a poor summer tour to return its best results at home, while Tri-Nations champion New Zealand was improving consistently. South Africa had a disastrous tour of Britain and France but was still rated by Jones among the top five teams in the world. Hot conditions in the Australian Spring would suit the Wallabies, he said. Big, aggressive forwards wouldn't dominate the Australian pack because ball retention and possession was more important than intimidating rivals. "I don't know whether violent intimidation is the way to go in test rugby, in fact I think it's something of the past," Jones said. The Australian squad contained four uncapped forwards, including giant prop Matt Dunning and No. 8 Jone Tawake from New South Wales and Queensland backrowers Dan Heenan and John Roe, and will be captained by scrumhalf George Gregan. Australian squad: Bill Young, Nick Stiles, Matt Dunning; Jeremy Paul, Adam Freier, Brendan Cannon, Sean Hardman; Patricio Noriega, Ben Darwin, Rod Moore; Justin Harrison, David Giffin, Daniel Vickerman, Nathan Sharpe, Daniel Heenan; Matt Cockbain, David Lyons, John Roe; George Smith, David Croft, Phil Waugh; Toutai Kefu, Jone Tawake; George Gregan, Chris Whitaker; Stephen Larkham, Elton Flatley; Steve Kefu, Nathan Grey, Matthew Burke, Daniel Herbert, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau; Wendell Sailor, Scott Staniforth, Ben Tune; Mat Rogers, Chris Latham.
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