England choose DISNEYLAND base ahead of Rugby World Cup semi-final clash with New Zealand
- Eddie Jones has decided his team will stay in a Tokyo Bay hotel this week
- After a ballot, the Jones determined England should stay next to Disneyland
- New Zealand had first choice and opted for Conrad in the Shiodome district
- Jones preferred to base his team in remote surroundings, far from busy centres
England are on a Mickey Mouse route to the World Cup Final – as Eddie Jones has decided to take his squad to Disneyland this week, ahead of their showdown with the All Blacks.
In the aftermath of their quarter-final victory over Australia, England had to wait for the results of the Sunday matches before discovering which hotel they would be staying in before their last-four clash with the world champions.
Following an accommodation ballot, New Zealand had first choice of hotel and they opted for the five-star Conrad in the Shiodome district of Tokyo – where England were due to stay prior to the pool game against France, until that fixture was cancelled due to typhoon Hagibis.
Following an accommodation ballot, Jones opted to move England to a hotel near Disneyland
England had next choice and could have opted for the grand Keio Plaza Hotel in the vibrant Shinjuku district, where they spent 10 days before and after facing Argentina. They also could have picked the New Otani in the heart of the city.
Instead, Jones decided on an out-of-town option, next to Disneyland, facing Tokyo Bay.
The theme park surroundings are at odds with the build-up to a serious sporting contest, but teams who have used the base earlier in the tournament have been impressed by the nearby training facilities.
England had second choice and selected the resort situated near the popular tourist spot
There are bad omens though. South Africa and Ireland both stayed at the same hotel before losing to the All Blacks – in a pool opener and a quarter-final respectively.
Also, it is a location far from Yokohama Stadium, where Saturday’s semi-final will take place – the same distance, 40km, as it is from Tokyo Stadium.
The Irish management were concerned about a 90-minute journey time, so Johnny Sexton was the only one of their players who went to the latter arena for the ‘captain’s run’ training session before their encounter with New Zealand.
However, Jones likes to base his team in luxurious, remote surroundings, far from busy centres, wherever possible.
He is mindful of potential distractions during such a momentous week, saying: ‘You’ve got to do more media, there’s more attention; there are more fans around. For the players to get from A to B, it takes 10 minutes rather than five minutes. You’ve got to be able to cope with that and find ways to get to your best.’
England players celebrate their Rugby World Cup quarter-final victory over rivals Australia
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