'The definition of insanity': Eddie Jones gets 'factual' on World Cup selections
Eddie Jones has finally revealed the reason for omitting Quade Cooper from Australia’s Rugby World Cup squad.
Cooper’s axing and the overlooking of fellow elder statesman and former Test captain Michael Hooper were the most contentious of several eyebrow-raising squad decisions from Jones.
Cooper was axed in favour of greenhorn playmakers Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson in a selection gamble that spectacularly backfired as the Wallabies failed to progress out of the knockout stages for the first time in World Cup history.
Even more perplexing to disillusioned fans and former greats was how Cooper’s dumping came after the 35-year-old was captured on TV as the most vocal figure in the Wallabies’ huddle immediately after almost beating the All Blacks in Dunedin in August.
But Jones on Tuesday said the Wallabies’ inability once again to close out a big game – this time when Cooper was the five-eighth “finisher” after coming on as a replacement – was the final straw.
Instead of being heartened by Australia almost snapping a 22-year, 28-Test winless drought in New Zealand in their final match before leaving for France, the coach made a shock decision to shift to his youth policy after the 23-20 heartbreaker.
“Well, we weren’t good enough to beat the All Blacks. We had them on toast 17-3 and we couldn’t finish the game off,” Jones said.
“Let’s be quite factual about that. I just thought we’re not going to get anywhere with that group of players.
“I probably thought they’d maximised themselves out and we’d had that group of players for a period of time.
“And I always go back to the definition of insanity: you know, keep doing the same thing, expect different results.
“So I tried something different, went for youth, and it will have favourable results further down the track.”
Facing the media for the first time since Australia’s failure to make the quarter-finals in France, Jones is backing the same core group of young stars to take the Wallabies to the 2027 World Cup on home soil.
“If you look at the number of players we took to the World Cup who are still to reach their peak – players like (Fraser) McReight, (Tate) McDermott, (Ben) Donaldson, (Tom) Hooper, (Max) Jorgensen – there are a number of players there who are at the start of their international career,” he said.
“Most of them showed during the World Cup that they have enough to really go forward and be very good players for Australia.
“We throw in a few other players from around the place and we have a nucleus of a really good team.”
Saying he didn’t return home “to eat fish and chips and drink flat white at Coogee Beach”, the 63-year-old maintains he must serve as an agent for change for Australian rugby to move forward after the Wallabies slumped to a new low of No.10 in the world.
“Everyone hates change because it is uncomfortable,” Jones said.
“Everyone likes the status quo.
“And we had the courage, whether it be the right courage, to make the choice that we would go with a younger squad. The young squad will stand Australia in good stead.
“You’ve just got to look at the quarter-finals and look where we’re at.
“We’re not at that level and we need to get to that level, and that can be done through hard work.
“It can be done through smart planning, through consistently thinking about world-class standards, and that’s what we need to get to in Australian rugby.”
Comments on RugbyPass
It’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
22 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
22 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
44 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
4 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
44 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
44 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
4 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
7 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
7 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to comments