Immigration has some fun with Eddie Jones as England arrive to face Wallabies Test series

AUSTRALIA’S airport immigration department does have a sense of humour after they stopped Eddie Jones at Brisbane Airport like a convict on the way to the colonies.

Eddie Jones holds court at Brisbane Airport.

EDDIE Jones is certain an orchestrated campaign to undermine his England team is revving up after his own bags were searched by customs at Brisbane Airport.

Australia’s border officials do have a sense of humour because they’d clearly revoked his rails runs through immigration from his former life as Wallabies coach between 2001-05.

“Aussie Eddie” is now “Eddie the Enemy” and that single act was symbolic of the obstructions he expects at every turn before the huge Test series lift-off at Suncorp Stadium on June 11.

Eddie Jones is hoping to improve England’s dire record in Australia.

The engaging Jones saw some mild humour in his stalled arrival but he also loves a conspiracy theory.

“Everything that’s done around the game is going to be co-ordinated, all co-ordinated to help Australia win,” Jones said.

“I just went through immigration and I got shunted through the area where everything got checked. That’s what I’m expecting mate.”

You can write the checklist now starting with Wallabies spies in plus-fours hiding behind the grassy knolls on the golf course adjoining England’s Gold Coast training ground.

Breaks in routine will really rile Jones like a distraction right outside the England dressingroom on Test night.

Wallabies backs coach Steve Larkham, a long-time player in Jones’ Wallabies and ACT Brumbies teams, knows where England’s cagey coach is coming from.

Former Broncos star Ben Te’o is now part of the England rugby set-up.

“That’s Eddie’s style. He creates a bit of hype around the game and that’s exactly what we need,” Larkham said.

As for the Aussie media, you can bet Jones will be stunned if there is not an illegal scrummaging scandal or accusations of England slowing-the-game by faking injuries.

He is expecting plenty of playful banter with mate and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika but he’s also giving the Aussie media way too much credit for so-called “orchestrated campaigns.”

“That always happens. You guys should know ... you’re part of it,” Jones said with a slight grin at a media pack who can’t even organise an annual lunch together.

“It’s very well done here.”

Jones has transformed England into Six Nations heroes since the disastrous English exit at last year’s World Cup yet knows winning in Australia is one of rugby’s hardest missions.

“Australia are ranked second in the world, they’ve got the best coach in the world and they’re playing in their own backyard so they are going to be strong and physical,” Jones said.

“In Australia, we’ve won three Tests since Captain Cook arrived, so it’s not a great record is it?

England captain Owen Farrell (R) signs an autograph at Brisbane Airport.

“The first Test sets the tone for the rest of the series so it’s going to be like an old Battle of Ballymore.”

Jones is upbeat that Ben Te’o, at inside centre, is ready to make a mark as former State of Origin proteges Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor and Mat Rogers did when they switched from rugby league.

“Having coached a lot of league players, if you’ve played State of Origin successfully you have the pedigree to be successful in international rugby,” Jones said.

Larkham is wary of the Jones factor.

“Results (six-from-six) speak for themselves,” Larkham said of the Jones record with England.

“He’s come in and changed the style of their game, the attitude within the playing group as well.

“I think the real test for him now is this tour.

“He’s very, very passionate about Australia and I’m sure he wants to come over here and teach us a lesson.”