'We can be best in the world in a year' - John Mitchell
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England's new defence coach John Mitchell believes England can usurp the All Blacks as the world's best rugby team by the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Mitchell told the Daily Telegraph that his near 20-year coaching career will serve him well as part of the England setup.
"I've seen the movie a few times; made lots of mistakes," said Mitchell. "I am very comfortable in my own skin in where I am at and what I've got to do.
"I really believe that England can get better and be the best within a year's time - I really do believe that. Why? Because of what I've seen in the past.
"They [the All Blacks] are outstanding, but I guess what gives us all life is that it is a World Cup year - and a World Cup does close the gap."
Mitchell applauded the All Blacks for forcing the rest of the world to step up, acknowledging Steve Hansen's side have changed the way the game is played.
But the former Bulls coach captain pointed to South Africa's recent upset as proof the All Blacks are beatable, more so come the pressure cooker of defending two World Cup titles.
"It's knockout rugby and you just need to focus on being the better team yourself. New Zealand have set the benchmark and sent out the signal to all of us 'you come and get us'. That's what we intend to do."
Mitchell believes Eddie Jones' is one of the best in world rugby and is confident the two can work together as England pursue a second World Cup win in Japan.
"I've got an enormous amount of respect for the way Eddie goes about things and who wouldn't want to work underneath him?" Mitchell said.
"If you don't have that kind of environment, how can you make someone better? A lot of us 50-year-old coaches in the world wouldn't be around if we didn't look to evolve and get better."
