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‘The economy is going to suffer’: Eddie Jones’ blunt message to All Blacks
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones believes the fate of the New Zealand economy rests on the All Blacks’ shoulders heading into this weekend’s Bledisloe Cup opener.
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Yes, you read that right. The legendary coach said “the economy is going to suffer” if the All Blacks fail to beat their arch-rivals at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.
After the Wallabies revealed their team to take on New Zealand, Jones spoke with reporters alongside acting captain Allan Alaalatoa.
With a smile on his face, the charismatic coach spoke for about 20 minutes about some bold selection decisions and, bizarrely, politics.
Jones is confident the Wallabies will turn their fortunes around against the All Blacks, and made sure to heap as much pressure as possible on Australia’s heavily favoured rivals.
This isn’t just about rugby anymore.
“Imagine Saturday night, 85,000 people, their biggest rugby crowd since 2007 and they’ve come to watch two teams that have got good respect for each other but at the same time they dislike each other,” Jones told reporters.
“There’s nothing better than winning against New Zealand because you feel the country sinking.
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“It’s not just rugby that sinks, the country sinks. The whole economy goes down. The Prime Minister is there with his fingers crossed hoping the All Blacks win because he knows the economy is going to drop if they lose.
“We can have the effect and at the same time Australian kids want to play rugby again, because at the moment too many of them want to play AFL… we want to kids to play rugby because it’s the greatest game of all.
“Maybe put the New Zealand Prime Minister on call that the economy is going to suffer and at the same time raise our stakes here.”
The Wallabies are currently last on The Rugby Championship standings and the All Blacks occupy pole position.
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The Aussies havee been beaten by both South Africa and Argentina this month. Looking to bounce back with a win at ‘the G,’ coach Jones has made some big changes.
Rising star Carter Gordon has been picked at flyhalf ahead of Quade Cooper, and will partner Queensland Reds halfback Tate McDermott in the halves.
Angus Bell, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Jordan Petaia and Andrew Kellaway have also been injected into the starting lineup. In total, Jones has made seven changes to the First XV.
“My history against New Zealand is important. It’s always the biggest game mate, you’re playing against the best in the world,” Jones added.
“When you’re playing against them, not many people think you can win so that’s the opportunity for us.
“We’re an Australian team, we’re developing, we’re moving along a pathway but can we put the Kiwis under pressure on Saturday? Yes, under a lot of pressure and maybe they’re going to get a bit of a surprise.
“We’re ready to go mate. We’ll see what happens.”
The Wallabies take on fierce rivals New Zealand at the world-famous Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday evening. If Australia lose, the Kiwis retain the Bledisloe Cup for at least another year.
Comments on RugbyPass
The Black Ferns 7’s have been without Captain Sarah Hirini now since Dec 23 in Dubai where she suffered a bad ACL injury - hopefully she is on the road to recovery for Madrid and Paris. Now also have Tyler King and Shiray kaka on the Injured List but the Team still found a way to win in Singapore and claim the overall Title.
1 Go to commentsUtter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
2 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
2 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
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