Sensational

Eddie Jones aired a complaint about Twickenham’s in-stadium experience when he appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live this week.

“Being a spectator and being told when to make noise is a bit funny,” said the Japan boss, objecting to a big-screen request for an increase in volume.

Jones sat stony-faced in the coaching box as the message appeared again in the midst of his team’s 78-15 thrashing at England’s hands on Saturday.

There was little for him to enjoy on his return to Twickenham, where he was head coach for seven years.

But, for the rest of a capacity crowd, it was a fun one.

With junior tickets on sale at £15, there was a different atmosphere from usual. The decibels were higher, the demographic was younger, the spirits a little lighter.

And England brought plenty of entertainment to the party. Thirteen tries in total, with Will Joseph’s five putting him in the centre of the chorus line.

The 24-year-old won his only previous England cap under Jones. Back in the summer of 2022, he was a teenage apprentice taken on tour to Australia and thrust into the second Test as a last-minute replacement.

His promise has taken some time to be fulfilled. He struggled for game time and fitness at Harlequins after London Irish’s bankruptcy forced him to move on from his boyhood club.

An auto-immune condition that cost him the hearing in his left ear was one setback at the Stoop.

But, as part of a rat pack of exciting young English-qualified backs at Gloucester this season, he has been superb: a swerving, offloading, game-breaking threat either on the wing or in midfield.

England deployed him out wide, to bring some of the razzle-dazzle that they lost as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso limped out of their autumn campaign.

Reports from Pennyhill Park during the week had suggested Joseph was doing a fine job of replicating Feyi-Waboso’s explosive elusiveness.

He certainly did on Twickenham’s main stage, finishing chances with the same pace and power.

“He is pretty similar to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in the way he plays his game,” said former England wing Chris Ashton on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“He is just so fast. He doesn’t look too fast in the first two steps and then he is just gone. He gets away from people.”

Joseph’s cartwheeling plant of the ball over the line for his fourth summed up his exuberance.

In the aftermath of that score, Japan flanker Ben Gunter put a consoling arm around full-back Kazuma Ueda, who had been comprehensively burned in a race to the corner.

Japan couldn’t get near Joseph, whose first try came after just 60 seconds and his hat-trick score in the 19th minute.

“It has been a challenging four years, but I have enjoyed the journey to get back here and I am happy all that hard work I have put in has paid off,” he said.

“I have had a taste for it now and I can’t wait to do it again.”

With nine new players on the roster still working on maximizing their on-court chemistry, the Lakers are taking a patient approach to the start of the NBA season.

For now, it looks as if they’re fine with following Luka Doncic‘s lead.

The Lakers’ star had another sensational performance, finishing with 45 points in a 131-125 victory over the Toronto Raptors at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday night.

Doncic was key in helping the Lakers build a 26-point lead in the third quarter. He shot 12 for 23 on the night, going eight for 12 from three-point range. He made all of his 13 free throws and also had 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals.

Not bad for 35 minutes of work on Doncic bobblehead giveaway night.

And his teammates did follow his lead, with Austin Reaves collecting 19 points and Walker Kessler producing a double-double with 16 points on six-for-six shooting and 15 rebounds to go along with three blocks. Collin Sexton came off the bench to score 14 points. Rookie Cameron Carr played his first game of the season, but he didn’t score.

The Lakers were sloppy with the basketball, turning it over 22 times. Scottie Barnes finished with 29 points and six rebounds for Toronto (3-3).

In the eyes of Lakers coach JJ Redick, each game the Lakers (5-2) play is a step in a process aimed at becoming a championship-contending team.

“Frankly, this entire season is about becoming a great team,” Redick said. “Like, we believe we can become a great team and I think as coaches, players, we all have to participate in patience with that. Doesn’t mean you allow things to happen and say, ‘Oh, that’s fine. That’s OK.’ No. No. No. You address those things. I think the guys are very, very open to that dialogue, both with each other and with the coaching staff.”

Lakers star Luka Doncic prevents the ball from going out of bounds in front of Toronto forward Scottie Barnes during the first half Sunday at Crypto.com Arena.

(Scott Strazzante / Associated Press)

Doncic is certainly doing his part to bring a championship mood to L.A. He made a three-pointer with 0.5 seconds left before halftime to give the Lakers a 66-54 lead. He blew a kiss to the fans and waved his hand toward them, prompting cheers from the crowd.

The Lakers play the Miami Heat at home Monday night.

Injury update

Ziaire Williams missed his third consecutive game, but Redick said a scan on the forward’s ailing left foot was “clean.”

“I would describe it [as] soreness that just pops up in the morning and he’s feeling a lot better,” Redick said. “I think just being, again, cautious with the back to back.”

When it comes to top individual performances from Friday night football, few can challenge Santa Barbara High’s secret weapon, Cade Mault, a junior soccer player committed to Cal Poly who taught himself how to kick and punt.

Against Westlake, Mault accounted for all of Santa Barbara’s points in a 13-10 win over Westlake. He had an 85-yard touchdown reception. He made field goals from 49 and 43 yards. He made the PAT. He even picked up a first down on a fake punt.

“We believe in him,” coach Nathan Mendoza said.

He’s four for four on field goals this season, has not missed a PAT, is booming punts and still plays club soccer on weekends while practicing soccer four times a week from 6 to 9 p.m.

Soccer is his sport, but he’s progressing so well in football, options could be opening up for someone who insists no one taught him how to kick or punt.

His family is all about competing in sports. He has an older brother, Kai, who was an All-Southern Section receiver for Santa Barbara and now plays baseball for UC Davis. A younger brothers plays football and lacrosse.

He has a 3.9 grade-point average, so all options are open. Mendoza hopes he keeps playing football for at least one more year.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.