They were wounded by the twin strike force of Michael Hooper and David Pocock at the breakdowns and then garrotted by Bernard Foley's superb running and kicking. The Wallabies went on to make the final as England agonised before opening the chequebook to Fast Eddie and offering him a four year deal.
Success came immediately and Jones and his squad have yet to be beaten after a Six Nations triumph leading into their mid-year tour and series whitewash of Australia.
Jones has never been shy about engaging the opposition, verbally, and from a position of strength, he has been on the relentless needle against a vulnerable Cheika.
It's been a tasty by-product and a mini-contest to fill the time before tomorrow's kickoff where the only verdict will come from the scoreboard at fulltime.
The Wallabies have gone back to the Hooper-Pocock axis of twin breakaways with the No 8 grunt from Lopeti Timani who will not have to contend with injured England powerhouse No 8 Billy Vunipola.
England are also missing injured loosies Maro Itoje and James Haskell who were such crucial players in their initial revival. However, former skipper Chris Robshaw and a retreaded Tom Wood have been in robust form in the November internationals.
This game falls outside that official test window so the Wallabies have lost halfback Will Genia to his French club with Nick Phipps asked to fill those duties.
There are other new men from mid-year on the wing and in midfield where Reece Hodge will be put under heavy scrutiny.
The captains will be up close and personal throughout with Dylan Hartley and Stephen Moore the key men in the set-piece squareoffs and in their ability to work with referee Jaco Peyper and his interpretations.
Penalties will be in play and Owen Farrell is in magnificent kicking form for the hosts while Foley will need to be at his best if the Wallabies are to alter the form guide and tip over England who are already surging uncomfortably towards the All Blacks' new tier one record of 18 wins in succession.