‘Roasting the boys’: What Wallabies coach Eddie Jones is really like
Australian duo Mark Nawaqanitawase and Angus Bell have revealed what Wallabies coach Eddie Jones is really like behind closed doors.
As rugby fans, pundits and journalists, we’ve all heard the stories. Eddie Jones is the coach past players have loved to hate or hate to love, with the rugby guru having a no-nonsense approach to the sport.
Jones is a winner, and expects nothing less, and that’s what’s made the Wallabies’ disastrous losing streak so shocking.
With the World Cup only a few weeks away, Australia are still yet to register a win under their new coach.
But after each and every Test, Jones has walked into the post-game press conference with a smile on his face – and boasts an unwavering sense of confidence too. Jones, 63, believes in his Wallabies.
Following Australia’s heartbreaking 23-20 loss to the All Blacks in Dunedin, two of Jones’ frontline Wallabies have shed light on what the legendary coach is like within the Wallabies’ inner sanctum.
“He’s very good at challenging everyone, and that’s from staff to players,” wing Mark Nawaqanitawase said on YKTR’s Ebbs and Flows.
“As much as we work hard, he’s very good at motivating us to do it. As much as there’s always a lot of negative stuff there, there’s always a lot of positive reinforcement as well which is good.
“I guess for me personally, he gives a lot of confidence in me to go out there and do what I can for the team. I guess that’s what he’s trying to build.
“Back in the days you’d hear stuff about him but he’s good to be around. He’s actually quite a laugh as well.
“Just at team dinner or even the meetings, he’ll be roasting the boys like in a good way, not in a bad way.
“He keeps a smile on all the boys’ faces which is good.”
Even when the going gets tough, as it has for the Wallabies this year, Jones doesn’t unleash all his anger, fury and frustration upon his players.
Yes, the training sessions are – by all accounts – gruelling, but Jones truly wants the best for his players.
Watching various Wallabies training sessions during The Rugby Championship, this journalist could see the role that the legendary coach plays within this team.
Whether it was pulling players aside for one-on-one chats during warmups at Brighton Grammar School in Melbourne last month, or the fun that players were having before training in Dunedin, it’s clear that Jones is having a positive impact on team culture.
“His banter’s next level, it’s hilarious,” Wallabies prop Angus Bell added.
“We’ve got this bloke in our team, Blake Schoupp, he’s built like a fridge.
“(Eddie) calls him brick s*******. He calls him that in the media and everything, and then every morning he’s like, ‘How’re you going s********?’ The banter is hilarious.
“He has nicknames for everyone. I was ‘half body’ for a while because I’ve got small legs.”
The Wallabies have revealed their 33-man squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France, and both Nawaqanitawase and Bell have made the cut.
Australia are on the so-called ‘easier’ side of the draw, and open their campaign against minnows Georgia at Stade de France next month.
Comments on RugbyPass
Now if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately 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.
37 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!
5 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.
5 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 comments