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Why Aussie scribe is 'quietly confident' Jones will return to Wallabies
The Rugby Football Union made a bold call earlier this week by axing super coach Eddie Jones nine months out from the World Cup, but England’s loss might end up being Australia’s gain.
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England didn’t have a great year in 2022 under Eddie Jones – there’s no hiding from that – but Jones has already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest minds to have ever graced the international game.
Jones etched his name into rugby folklore almost eight years ago when he led Japan to a famous upset win over South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
The 62-year-old has also been to World Cup finals with both Australia and England.
While Jones is certainly one of the greatest World Cup coaches in rugby history, clearly the RFU had had enough after an underwhelming campaign – which included just one win in November.
But if recent reports are to be believed, and the opinions of one of Australia’s top rugby journalists as well, then Jones could be set for a return to Australian shores.
As reported by The Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday, Rugby Australia is interested in speaking with Jones who is now a free agent, although Dave Rennie will still be the head coach.
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Speaking on Weekend Sport with Jason Pine, journalist Tom Decent explained why he “would be betting” on Jones returning to the Wallabies “at some point.”
“Whether it’s next year or at some point, I would be betting on that at some point. I think there’s a reasonable chance he would do that,” Decent said.
“He’s been linked with the USA, we know that they are keen for him to come on board… so that’s something that he’s definitely exploring.
“But we all know that Eddie at heart is an Australia, he loves Australian rugby. It would have to be on his terms and there would have to be a lot of things to go right for it to happen.
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“But I would be quietly confident that at some point he’ll be back in Australian rugby in some capacity, whether that’s coach, technical director, not quite sure.”
The wounded Wallabies are in somewhat of a crisis of their own at the moment as well.
While Australia showed plenty of fight and potential during an injury-ravaged international campaign, the men in gold failed to win as many games as they would’ve liked.
And ultimately, rugby is a results drive business.
After starting their season with a win over Jones’ England, the Wallabies lost six of their next eight Test matches before flying to Europe.
Australia managed to win their opening Test in a thriller against Scotland, before losing their next three matches by three points or less – including a first ever loss to Italy.
But it’s understood that Rennie will continued to coach the Wallabies through to at least the World Cup.
“All indications are that he will. The Eddie Jones news has thrown a little bit of a spanner in the works in terms of Eddie just literally being a free agent as of right now,” Decent added.
“I would say almost certainly. Barring an absolutely big twist in the next few months, and someone being available and ready, I think they’re getting a little bit of the benefit of the doubt.
“Very hard to get a read on this Wallabies team but very, very confident that he’ll be the guy at the World Cup barring something in the next few weeks. We’ll see though.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
4 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
4 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
4 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
4 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
12 Go to comments