All Blacks will miss Umaga at World Cup, says Jones

The All Blacks are not as far ahead of the rest of the world as many would believe, says former Australia coach Eddie Jones.

He believes they have a couple of weaknesses and others can challenge them at the World Cup next year.

Jones has recently returned to Australia to prepare to take over as boss of the Queensland Reds after a three-month spell as adviser to English club Saracens.

His time in England persuaded him that even the defending world champions could push the All Blacks close in France next September.

Jones says New Zealand are not far ahead of everyone else at the moment. "They are a very good side but they have a couple of weaknesses in their game.

"I think they will miss Tana Umaga immensely. While he was a reasonable attacking player, he was outstanding defensively in his own right and organisationally.

"There is no stand-out replacement for him. If you have got a good No 13 he can give you that little bit of an edge.

"So in my view, that will bring New Zealand back to the field.

"Then I think you have a host of countries that are going to develop over the next period of time.

"There is still time for a country to come out of the pack and build a real challenge for the World Cup. Look at Australia, they have still got 20 tests to play before the World Cup kicks off next year."

Jones also expressed his doubts about the medical history of recently appointed All Black captain Richie McCaw and in particular the bouts of concussion he has suffered.

"I am sure they are looking after him in the best possible way. But he plays the game in a very physical way and there is definitely a cumulative price to pay in the game for all these knocks, most definitely.

"But I'm sure the fact that he's getting the best advice means he won't be put at risk to any longer term effects."

Jones believes England have the ability - and time - to find a strong side and make a powerful defence of their crown.

"I was pretty impressed by the standard of the domestic competition in England. It gets criticised a fair bit about being stodgy and conservative.

"But part of the competition is played in less than favourable conditions. But in recent weeks when the weather got better we've seen sides playing a nice brand of rugby and I think the competition will get better and better.

"The talent is definitely there. England has an advantage over a number of countries particularly Australia because they have a genuine depth of players playing the game at a high level professionally.

"It's about them getting their selection right and then developing a style of play that is going to suit the talents of those players. They're going to have to fast-track a number of them.

"But England definitely have the players, there's no doubt about that."

So, too, does South Africa, in Jones' estimation. He dismisses their comparative failure at Super 14 level, suggesting that Springbok coach Jake White won't be in the least concerned about that.

"South Africa has a nicely developing side but their big test will be how they develop their rugby.

"They have done reasonably well playing a particular brand of rugby but they will need to do a little bit more, to expand it, to become a really outstanding test side able to win a World Cup.

"At the moment they play off the mistakes of the opposition rather than create the play themselves. You can get some success playing like that but I don't think you can win a big tournament with that style. You have got to be able to make the play. New Zealand can certainly do that.

Jones admits it should be a cracking World Cup. And he doesn't hide his disappointment that he won't be involved as Australia's coach.

"Once you have coached at that level, you like that involvement. It's the highest level of rugby to be involved in so you definitely miss it."