Eddie Jones will win a World Cup with Australia, but not this one
In the wake of a challenging period under former coach Dave Rennie, Rugby Australia decided to take the Wallabies in a completely new direction by signing free agent Eddie Jones to a five-year deal in January.
Jones, who won the 2007 Rugby World Cup with the Springboks as a technical advisor, was supposed to be the messiah that Australian rugby so desperately needed. For a while, many Wallabies fans dared to dream.
With the World Cup in France nigh on the horizon, Jones made his presence felt before a ball was even kicked by an Australian player in the Test arena.
Jones almost singlehandedly reignited the fierce code war between rugby union and league. The coach spoke freely about his desire to lure NRL stars across to the 15-player game, and these comments poked the rugby league bear.
While Australian teams still struggled in Super Rugby Pacific against their Kiwi foes, it really felt like the Wallabies and Australian rugby were destined for a golden tomorrow.
But here we are, less than a month out from the 2023 World Cup, and things couldn’t have gone further off-script for the men in gold.
Playing under Jones, Australia started their international campaign with a disastrous 43-12 defeat to South Africa in Pretoria. Jones wasn’t happy, and neither were Aussie rugby fans.
But there was hope. It was one defeat – growing pains were always going to be a part of the job. The focus quickly shifted to a home Test against Argentina which the Wallabies were expected to win.
It was an improved performance, sure, but history will remember that night in Parramatta as another failure or shortcoming. The Wallabies lost a thriller 34-31.
Out with the old and in with the new, rising star Carter Gordon and halfback Tate McDermott were thrust into the starting side for two Tests against the All Blacks. The Wallabies lost them both.
But the new-look halves duo showed plenty of fight, potential and promise. Angus Bell, Tom Hooper, Jordan Petaia and Mark Nawaqanitawase also impressed – and they’re all in their early 20s.
As the adage goes, “New is always better.” If this is true, then the Wallabies are set for a brighter future.
It’ll come, just have faith.
Australia confirmed their World Cup squad on Thursday, which includes three uncapped players.
There are a total of 25 Wallabies who are set to make their World Cup debuts in France – that’s three-quarters of the squad, and that is nothing short of bizarre.
“We think the young players are the players that are going to take Australian rugby forward,” coach Jones told reporters on Thursday evening.
“This squad’s good enough to win this World Cup and possibly go on and win the next World Cup so that’s the advantage of picking young guys.
“They all deserve their opportunities, it’s not like we’re handing them the jersey on a platter.
“They’ll bring energy and a lot of ambition and enthusiasm to the team.”
Meanwhile, across the ditch, the All Blacks have just named their most experienced Rugby World Cup squad ever. France and Ireland are also set to field in-form squads on the biggest stage.
The Wallabies aren’t contenders, and deep down they must know that, but they’re building for the future and playing the long game.
In four years’ time, the likes of Tate McDermott, Carter Gordon and Max Jorgensen may very well be frontline Wallabies. They’ll carry the hopes of the nation into each and every Test they play.
All three of those players, among others, are set to play a key role in the Wallabies’ upcoming campaign in France. Jones knows what he’s doing – Eddie has a plan.
Experience can’t be bought – it must be earned, forged in the cauldron that is Test rugby. These players will be better for the opportunity.
Take Carter Gordon as an example. Jones compared the young gun to All Blacks pivot Richie Mo’unga after Bledisloe I.
“I’ve seen Richie Mo’unga play Tests like that,” Jones said after the 38-7 defeat.
Mo’unga has only just found his feet in Test rugby, and it’s taken more than 40 Test matches to get here. Gordon, all going to plan, will have played at least a similar number of Tests by the next World Cup.
That World Cup is on home soil, too.
The Wallabies will have a sea of gold in the crowd whenever they play at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. They’ll have a 16th player on their side whenever they charge into battle.
That makes a difference.
The now youthful Wallabies will be experienced campaigners, bordering on veteran status by 2027. They’ll be playing at home, too.
Why doubt them? With Jones at the helm, anything could happen with these factors in play.
There are also more superstars coming through the Super Rugby ranks or returning to rugby after being lost to the sport.
Sydney Roosters flyer Joseph Suaalii has signed a lucrative deal with Rugby Australia which will see him play for the Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific.
It’s quite likely that Suaalii won’t be the only ‘leaguie’ to jump over, either.
Brisbane Broncos enforcer Payne Haas is back in the headlines with Rugby Australia lurking, and Jones has previously expressed his interest in Australian representatives Nathan Cleary and Cameron Murray.
If all of those players jump codes, or even just some of them, then the Wallabies will return to their former glory.
Jones would be able to get the most out of them, too – he helped Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers and Wendell Sailor jump codes before the ’03 World Cup – and ensure that they complement the established contingent of Wallabies as well.
Finally, the Junior Wallabies have found some form. They beat the Baby Blacks – the New Zealand U20s – in two of three matches this year. The one loss was by just a single point as well.
With the likes of Teddy Wilson, Mason Gordon – yes, the brother of Carter – and Darby Lancaster coming through, the Wallabies could produce something special under Jones.
They could genuinely have a world-class squad by 2027. But expect them to be well off the pace in France, at least against the likes of New Zealand, Ireland, France and South Africa.
They’re on the ‘easier’ side of the draw, sure, but they’ll probably still face some of those aforementioned teams in the knockout stages. Their ceiling has a limit.
But the exposure of playing at a Rugby World Cup will be invaluable to some players on the rise, and Jones will continue to monitor and maximise their development in the years to come.
By the time their home World Cup rolls around in 2027, the Wallabies could very well be world-beaters.
Comments on RugbyPass
Fiji 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 commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to comments