'Seriously, I don't know what to expect': Wallabies bracing for first time with Eddie Jones
Australia’s Rugby World Cup hopefuls are bracing for an “intense” first Wallabies training camp under no-nonsense new coach Eddie Jones.
Thirty-three players will assemble on the Gold Coast on Monday while another seven ruled out with injury or concussion plus overseas-based stars Richie Arnold, Tom Banks, Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley, Marika Koroibete, Samu Kerevi and Will Skelton will zoom in remotely for team meetings.
With Jones already having made some surprise selection calls, those heading to Sanctuary Cove for the three-day camp admit to feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation.
“Obviously excited to be in the mix in the squad but, at the same time, it’s a different coach, different vibe, different set-up,” said Western Force prop Tom Robertson.
“So I don’t really know what to expect. I’ve been focusing on Super Rugby so it’s all going to be new.
“I had a chat with him before the Hurricanes game. He gave me a few things to work on around the field and a bit of a rev-up for the next couple of games.
“He was good to talk to and he’s been reaching out to a lot of the players, which I really respect. You have those one-on-one chats which has been good.”
That seems to be the general consensus as Jones keeps every player hoping to make to France 2023 on their toes.
“It’s everyone’s first one with Eddie. Seriously, I don’t know what to expect,” said NSW Waratahs utility forward Ned Hanigan.
“I just know we’re going to get up there and there’s going to be excitement around it and he’ll have everybody signed on for those two, three days up there.
“It will be pretty intense, I can imagine. I think it’s pretty clear what Eddie wants: he’s ready for blokes to work.”
Hanigan was one of the players ruled out of attending the camp after copping a head knock in Saturday night’s Super Rugby Pacific win over the Force.
But he will dial into team talks and also praised Jones’ straightforward dealings with his players.
“He’s a very good communicator. He picks up the phone and is pretty direct – short conversations,” Hanigan said.
“But he just tells blokes what he expects. What he wants from you, which is what we need.
“We need people telling us exactly what we’re after and we can do our best to deliver on it.”
Waratahs halfback Jake Gordon was one of the big-name casualties from the squad but responded to his non-selection with a man-of-the-match performance against the Force.
“It’s pretty simple, I’ve just got to play better,” Gordon said.
“I probably wasn’t happy with the start of the year. I was a bit inconsistent there and I think I’ve still got a lot of improvement to do but getting better each week.”
Hanigan, NSW teammate David Porecki, Brumbies trio Len Ikitau, Blake Schoupp and Darcy Swain have all been ruled out after suffering concussions in their Super Rugby Pacific fixtures over the weekend.
Back-rowers Pete Samu (ankle) from the Brumbies and NSW’s Langi Gleeson (calf) are also unavailable.
Waratahs duo Lachlan Swinton and Izaia Perese and Queensland back-rower Harry Wilson were among the seven replacements named on Sunday.
Brumbies pair Rhys van Nek and Rory Scott and the Reds’ Matt Faessler and Ryan Smith all earned their first Wallabies call-ups.
“While we feel for the players who have been ruled out, it provides an opportunity for those who will now come into camp,” Jones said.
“This camp will set the tone ahead of the Test season and we know we’re going to need a fast start.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
18 Go to comments