1
Fixing the 'f***' moments: Eddie Jones tackles the Wallabies' poor habits
The Wallabies have lost their first two Test matches under Eddie Jones, and the legendary coach has had enough.
ADVERTISEMENT
Looking to turn the Aussies’ fortunes around, Jones has had to “break” some poor habits and issues that have followed the Wallabies for years.
Walking into the post-match press conference after the Wallabies loss to Los Pumas a fortnight ago, Jones had a smile on his face – but the 63-year-old was far from happy.
The loss had been frustrating, and the coach expected to win that Test. Things just didn’t go to plan for the men in gold who fell painfully short of a victory.
Jones spoke both confidently and characteristically after the Test, as he always does, and previewed the upcoming changes that the rugby world could expect to see from his Wallabies.
But their next challenge is a tough one. Hoping to avoid a run of three straight defeats, the Wallabies will take on the All Blacks at the MCG.
The All Blacks are the heavy favourites, and with good reason.
But Jones isn’t panicking. The coach has beaten the All Blacks before, and was practically licking his lips at the prospect of doing so again.
ADVERTISEMENT
Flanker Jed Holloway revealed that Jones has been looking to “break” some of the Wallabies poor habits ahead of their rugby war with the All Blacks.
“We got stuck in being disappointed in ourselves once an error or something is made… and missing an opportunity make amends,” Holloway said on Thursday.
“It’s more so just recognising that in ourselves and making sure we’re putting the team first in every case like that because as rugby players you do it a lot.
“Whether it’s a lineout or a skill error or you miss a tackle, you sit there and go, ‘F***.’
ADVERTISEMENT
“Eddie’s just trying to get us to go out of those habits and go, ‘Alright team first, what’s next?’
“Just recognising that and making sure he sees a reaction and he’s definitely let it known to us if he didn’t see it at training.”
The All Blacks are first on The Rugby Championship ladder after opening their season with back-to-back wins over Argentina and South Africa.
This might be the best the New Zealanders have looked under current boss Ian Foster. There’s a reason Jones considers the All Blacks “the best in the world.”
“My history against New Zealand is important. It’s always the biggest game mate, you’re playing against the best in the world,” Jones told reporters.
“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.”
Coach Jones has made a couple of bold changes to his starting side, including an untested combination in the halves.
Halfback Tate McDermott will start his first Test under coach Jones, and will be joined by rising star Carter Gordon at flyhalf.
Angus Bell, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Jordan Petaia and Andrew Kellaway have also been thrust into the starting side this week – Jones making a total of seven changes to the team that lost to Los Pumas.
The Wallabies take on the All Blacks at the world-famous Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday evening in the first of two Bledisloe Cup Tests.
Comments on RugbyPass
Utter 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.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to comments