Eddie Jones has likened the task of beating New Zealand at rugby to trying to bowl out Steve Smith in cricket and admitted: “There’s no magic solution”.

But as England arrived in Tokyo to prepare for Saturday’s last-four showdown, he assured his players that staying patient can get them to the World Cup final.

England are heavy underdogs despite thrashing Australia 40-16 and All Blacks coach Steve Hansen believing they are stronger for coming through the “hurt” and “adversity” of their humiliating pool exit four years ago.

Hansen has warned his side to expect a "mighty clash" but Jones is only too aware the men in black have won 15 of the last 16 meetings and spelt out the challenge using a cricketing analogy.

Aussie run machine Steve Smith (
Image:
Alex Davidson)
Smith in action during fifth Ashes Test last month (
Image:
Alex Davidson)

He said: “If you’re bowling against Steve Smith, or you’re bowling against Joe Root when he’s in form, you’ve got to be respectful of their ability.

“There’s a way to get them out and good bowlers are able to work them out by not going away from the plan and keep digging away.

“But what happens is people get bored and try to find the magic solution - and that magic solution allows that batsman to get free.

Jones loves his cricket (
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Getty Images)

“If you allow them to get free they become a different player, but if you keep them where they don’t like to be for long enough, you’ll get a result. It’s the same in rugby.”

Across town Hansen echoed Jones’ call for patience from his own side, remembering how England led them 15-0 a year ago and would have won had not Sam Underhill’s late try been controversially chalked off.

“I watched the first part of the England-Australia game and Australia hammered and hammered and got no success," he said. "When you get no success, you can get frustrated.

Jones: You must stay patient if you are to beat All Blacks (
Image:
Getty)

"We can't afford to get frustrated when we’re playing against them. If we're not having success, we've just got to keep building the momentum and pressure until we do."

There is no question the Jones factor unsettles the Kiwis and empowers this England team.

“Eddie’s got a work ethic second to none,” said Hansen. “He put himself in hospital, he worked that hard. He's done a fantastic job with England. They've got a harder edge about them.”

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen (
Image:
Getty Images)

The two coaches are good pals and have already exchanged texts - promising to share a couple of beers whatever the outcome.

"It's a game of footy, it's not life or death,” Hansen added. “It's like when you play against your brother or sister. It's important, but it's not life threatening."

Jones agreed: “Having a respectful relationship is massively important in our game. You just have to see this tournament what it’s done. The things that have happened don’t happen in other sports.

“You’ve got the Canadian and Namibian blokes cleaning up the ground (after their game was cancelled). Could you imagine Ronaldo or Messi doing that if Barcelona or Real Madrid gets a wash? It’s a different game.”