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'Come on over… Eden Park is waiting': The challenge waiting for 'little Eddie'
The Wallabies haven’t won the Bledisloe Cup sine 2002. Back then, legendary scrumhalf George Gregan was the captain, and Eddie Jones was the coach.
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Two decades of pain, frustration and disappointment have ensued for the Wallabies, as a number of talented teams have failed to win back bragging rights from their Trans-Tasman rivals.
But there’s hope.
Eddie is back.
Following multiple media reports on Monday morning, Rugby Australia confirmed that coach Dave Rennie have been axed from his role eight months out from this year’s World Cup in France.
Instead, Jones will spearhead the Wallabies’ campaign after signing a five-year deal.
This deal, which is both controversial and a risk, has the potential to reignite the passion for the 15-player game Down Under.
Jones is box office, his personality alone will do wonders for the game; but he’s also one of the best coaches that international rugby has ever seen.
Wherever he goes, success follows – but his second tenure with the Wallabies may define him the most.
Two-time World Cup winning Wallaby Tim Horan took to Twitter on Monday following Jones’ appointment, where he outlined what the 62-year-old needs to do to justify his appointment.
Eddie Jones as new Wallabies coach……brave and has some risk. But maybe a risk worth taking considering the Wallabies current win/loss ratio.
Need a Bledisloe Cup (within 2 years) and RWC Semi and Lions win to jusity the decision.
ADVERTISEMENTStrap yourself in for the ride.
— Tim Horan (@TimHoran12) January 15, 2023
The Wallabies have come close against the All Blacks in years gone by, but have fallen short time and time again.
History suggests that an impossible challenge awaits Jones’ Wallabies.
Speaking on Mornings with Ian Smith, former New Zealand cricketer and rugby commentator Ian Smith issued Jones a challenge on behalf of Aotearoa.
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“Well is it as simple as this: would Australia have sacked Dave Rennie if England hadn’t sacked Eddie Jones?” Smith said on SENZ.
“Will we ever know the answer to that? I mean, behind the scenes, were there moves already afoot?
“It’s fair isn’t it that far removed from what New Zealand Rugby was contemplating over here just a month ago, the same thing has happened in Australia except they’ve pushed the go button in Aus, and we pushed the stay option.
“Was it Dave Rennie’s fault he never seemed to have a fit and available top combination?
“Was it Dave Rennie’s fault Bernard Foley couldn’t kick the ball out in time? It would’ve been a crucial Wallabies win and we know how obsessed they are with their inability to match the All Blacks under any coach.
“Dave Rennie will get easily get another high-profile coaching role. Hell, he got sacked yesterday and will probably even have one today.
“He’s that good he should, and who would bet against him being at the World Cup anyway in some role for some country? Not I.
“It’s a sure wager that it’s going to be so much more fun beating the Wallabies with little Eddie at the helm, he’s just that kind of guy.
“Come on over Eddie, give it your best shot. Eden Park is waiting for you.”
The Wallabies haven’t won at Eden Park since 1986.
Another impossible task? Maybe. But the challenge is there.
This year’s Trans-Tasman rivalry begins at the end of next month with Super Rugby Pacific, before the World Cup kicks off in September.
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments