1
‘The best I’ve seen’: Eddie Jones itching for Wallabies to prove critics wrong
Coach Eddie Jones is itching for the Wallabies to “show the world what we can do” when they run out onto the biggest stage in rugby next month.
ADVERTISEMENT
Speaking from Sydney International Airport, a typically charismatic Jones sent a loud and clear message to any critics ahead of the Wallabies’ flight to Europe on Thursday.
The Wallabies have lost four Tests in as many starts under coach Jones, and are potentially 80 minutes away from a fifth defeat on the bounce.
Australia have one more Test to play before their Rugby World Cup opener next month, and it’s a tough one. The Wallabies will take on tournament hosts France in Paris in just over a week.
Many fans from around the rugby world have cast the Wallabies aside as nothing more than a pretender ahead of the World Cup. They’ve shown potential, sure, but rugby is about results.
If winning is a habit, then the Wallabies have to get it right – and soon. No team has ever won a World Cup without winning a Test, but coach Jones isn’t panicking just yet.
“More confident, mate, more confident,” Jones told reporters. “I think we’ve got the right squad now, we’ve got the right balance of energy, enthusiasm. We’ve got youth on our side.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We’re ready to go. Much more confident.”
The Wallabies have named a youthful 33-man squad for the tournament, with veterans Quade Cooper and Michael Hooper sensationally omitted from the team.
Rising star Carter Gordon has been picked as the sole flyhalf in the squad, while utility Ben Donaldson will likely play a backup role off the bench.
There are only eight players in the squad who have been to a World Cup before. That’s just under 25 per cent. It’s a simply astonishing stat, but it also presents the Wallabies with an opportunity.
“None of you guys think we can do any good, so that’s alright,” Jones added. “The challenge for us as a group is to show you that we can, show ourselves that we can.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It’s just a great image for Australian rugby that a young team is ready to take on the world.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
3
Draws
0
Wins
2
Average Points scored
30
26
First try wins
40%
Home team wins
80%
“I enjoy it, mate, I enjoy it when people say you can’t do it, and I think the team’s starting to get a real taste for it.
“Yesterday our training was the best I’ve seen, the best I’ve seen by a mile, and that’s on the back of four hard days in Darwin.
“The boys are ready to go, we’re ready to show the world what we can do.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Unfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
35 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to comments