However, the number of tries does not lie. Of the six they scored in this series, two were thanks to the individual brilliance of Henry Arundell when the game ended, two were from mauls (thanks to Ellis Genge and Billy Vunipola) and one was an interception by Smith.
That leaves Freddie Steward’s attempt at close range as the only effort of England’s attack to be collectively built over three games. This stems from a Six Nations campaign in which England registered just three attempts against non-Italian opposition.
It should not be forgotten that a Wallabies attack, which lacked a small phalanx of ridges, created and executed more chances than England did. In the last World Cup cycle, it was around this point that Jones hired Scott Wisemantel, who lit a fire under England’s backline play.
Perhaps another Scott (Robertson) was coincidentally spotted in Coogee near England’s training base last week, although there may be a bigger outing getting closer to home for the Kiwi Crusaders boss.
“Our attack is not my attack, it is the strength of the players,” Jones said. “We have to find a way to develop the strengths of the players and we have a different set of players.”
‘You just have to build your game’
England now have nine full test matches and four warm-ups to fine-tune a strike that remains a work in progress of La Sagrada Familia proportions. “At this level, you have to bide your time, have a little bit of a chance in terms of pulling the trigger and hoping there’s a space,” Smith said. “At the end of the day you just have to build your game and the opportunities will come to you.”
This is the debit book of a campaign in which Jones and England ended up on credit. As much as the emphasis on jam tomorrow may be, the fast-tracking of Van Poortvliet – who will likely battle Raffi Quirke for the England No 9 shirt for the next decade – and Arundell – may well be the pinnacle of Jones’ long-held fantasy from finding an English Nehe Milner-Skudder – seems inspired. Chessum and Freeman in the second row will also play a big part in the future of England in the short and long term.
“The group of young backs who have no limit to how good they can be,” Jones said. “The only guys with testing experience are Farrell and (Jack) Nowell. All the other guys are straight out of their diapers.”
And if there’s one element of the UK tour that has delighted Jones above all else, it’s the lead. Passing Owen Farrell’s captaincy to Courtney Lawes could have created an uneasy dynamic. Instead, Jones seems to have found the best of both worlds.
“Courtney and Owen were incredible together,” Jones said. “Owen has made the team better. With Courtney’s more laconic style, they’ve created a great fit at the top. Those young guys look into the eyes of the senior players and they react to what the senior players are doing.”
A relentless set piece, aggressive defense and tireless team spirit are three core pillars on which Jones can build. But unless he can build a fourth pillar based on offensive excellence, his World Cup project will remain structurally flawed.