The Wallabies’ golden Rugby World Cup run will come to an end against the all-star All Blacks, according to ex-coach Eddie Jones.
Jones led Australia to a heart-breaking defeat in the 2003 World Cup final against England, and predicted the same fate will befall Michael Cheika’s men at Twickenham on Saturday (Sunday morning AEDT).
The veteran coach, who masterminded Japan’s historic upset of South Africa at this World Cup, said the All Blacks’ record was peerless across all sports.
“If you just look at the stats, then they are (the best ever),” he said.
“Their Test match record is so good; no other team in the sporting world – not just rugby – have a record like them.
“So if you just look at that, they’re certainly right up there with the best of them.”
When in charge of the Wallabies, Jones pulled off a major World Cup upset – orchestrating the semi-final defeat of the All Blacks in 2003, when Stirling Mortlock took a key intercept try in a tight fixture.
But, having analysed both team’s victories last weekend, he is predicting Richie McCaw and Dan Carter will get fairytale farewells as the All Blacks become the first nation to defend a World Cup win.
“I think New Zealand will make it home in less than five points – it will be close,” he said.
“New Zealand played against a South Africa team that played their best 40 minutes in the first half.
“To win that game to me was very impressive. They really stuck it out and showed belief in their own game.
“It was a very good performance.”
Jones said Australia on Sunday kept inviting Argentina back into the game.
“They were a little bit loose and gave the Argentinians a chance,” he said.
“It was still a very good win by the Australians. Both teams will go into the final full of confidence.
“There’s not much between them.”
The key to an Australian upset, Jones believes, isn’t the influence of the much-talked-about breakdown skills of David Pocock nor his battle with McCaw – but halfback Will Genia instead.
Genia has had a strong World Cup after holding Nick Phipps out of the starting job, and Jones believes it is his quickness which could trouble New Zealand.
“He can run, he can kick and was really instrumental to their win (over Argentina),” Jones said.
“If he plays really well, he can stifle New Zealand’s game and give Australia a chance.”
Paul Dunworth
Roar Rookie
To our wonderful ‘Men in Gold’, The Wallabies and each and every person that has helped you along the journey to the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final….. The final is now here for this Rugby World Cup Between 1 & 2, to see just where “Bill” ends up. The All Blacks and Wallabies – always a battle Royal With neither the advantage of playing on home soil. You have showed along the way, true grit, balance and poise For this tournament was designed to separate Men from boys. You have super fitness, enormous courage and what skill And no man could deny your belief, desire and Will. You’re within reach of your goal, it’s there for the taking Remain focused and committed, you’re World Champs in the making. For together whatever you all conceive and believe Go forward as one, and you will achieve! No, the job is not done, you’re only part the way there, It’s not over until Steven Moore hoists “Bill” in the air. For there is no tomorrow, the time’s here and now, Not until that final whistle, can you take a bow. A bleary eyed nation, your fans, with you all the way Never prouder have we been, than we are today. No retreat, no surrender, no excuses at all, Today you show the World, that The Wallabies stand tall.
Mike
Roar Rookie
Unbelievable?
Old Bugger
Guest
Its OK t-man....we all know how the NZRU has supported Hansen from the get-go after naming him as AB coach. Now, we've also seen how the ARU has supported Dingo first and then Macca second - sadly, without any form of loyalty.....so that's 3 coaches since 2012 in the WB camp while, Shag started his reign with the ABs. For me, the NZRU have epitomised what investment is all about since Shag's promotion.....can't really say the same for the ARU and funnily enough, the team selections have followed similar pathways as their coaches - one with long-term investment selections in mind while the other, has been impacted by short-term, high risk, ever-changing investment selections. The WBs are not really a recipe for solidarity and building experience are they?? So one assumes that in the absence of experience, the WBs game plan will be chanced on all-out non-stop, adrenalin filled tactics to either catch the ABs in sleep mode from the kick-off to 20mins or run them off their feet and attack them in the last 20mins. I've seen a lot of teams try either of these tactics but all to no avail because after the first 20mins, there's 60mins to go and before the last 20mins, there's 60mins to be played. And there's the most important time segments of all matches - the crucial 10mins before and after half-time, that most pundits seem to overlook. It's all a matter of experience t-man and when to use it, how to use it, where to use it and most importantly, why it's used. The why is simple - to be able to remain calm and rely on making the right choices, the right decisions and initiating the right processes that the team have trained, especially when their backs, are against the wall. That's experience and why IMO, it's the most important. It's also my reason to remain quietly confident of an AB win and I don't care if it's the same margin as the last GF result.....a win, is a win and that's all that counts.
somer
Guest
Paul, you claim the ABs only have a better tackle completion percentage because they have played weaker opposition. The only logically response to this is to discount the weaker opposition and make a comparison based on equal opposition. Not perfect, but it's a better measure than your irrational assertion that the ABs are poorer simply because they've never had the opportunity to measure themselves against anyone better.
Taylorman
Guest
Pool rounds are about qualifying, knockouts are about winning. Did you miss that on the menu?
Hertryk
Guest
Are Wallaby supporters all mouth and hot air? Will the only street coloured in GOLD be the one leading to the Twicker's stadium? LETS SEE.. JOIN THE GOLD FOR GLORY revolution.. make the media realise what total PLONKERS they have been in not giving our boys their support AND COVERAGE THEY DARNED WELL DESERVE FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK.. .. that the supporters can do their own coverage, and show the doubting thomases we mean what we have been "saying" for ages.. THE WALLABIES can do this and THEY HAVE OUR SUPPORT whole heartedly.. Wear your colours with pride people.. ARE YOU WITH US??? GO WALLABIES..
Playmaker
Guest
Sorry , did not see that comment..thanks Marto.
Mielie
Guest
Judging by these posts, there are going to be some very sad faces on Sunday. A potential back to back RWC All Black victory. Having played Rugby of late which is of the highest quality. Some of the famous old guard playing their last game. Can you honestly see the All Blacks allowing the Wallabies to beat them? I don't think so.
gbrizzy
Guest
Bob you know jourbet is not the ref right?
Paul
Guest
Better because it tells you what you want to hear? Choosing to ignore the pool rounds doesn't make them go away, and dubious claims about playing to put yourself under pressure against the minnows does not explain away missed tackles.
Paul
Guest
I see, so they missed all those tackles against the minnows on purpose... Gotcha
Septic Bladder
Guest
Genia quick? Certainly, but he will have to be very quick to outflank Aaron Smith. If the Wallabies play with the looseness they showed against the Argentinians then it will be AB's by 12+. Silly mistakes will also be punished and the Wallabies have showed quite a capacity to make them so far in the WC.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Fair comment, but he's not going to make up for the very public confidence of oz fans which looks unprecedented from what I can see.
pete and paul
Roar Rookie
you gotta be kidding...Aussies throw a match...how bloody disrespectful for the Bledisloe Cup...threw a game...how can anyone respect a coach and a team who did that...WOW now I have heard it all....in the end they got their butts well and truly belted...deserve the buggers right
pete and paul
Roar Rookie
it will be roadkill....Wallabies will litter the field in the dust of a rampaging AB team set for GLORY and HISTORY
pete and paul
Roar Rookie
and if he painted a different picture is that tantamount to lying providing a falsehood...what is it with Aussies...YOU CAN"T HANDLE THE TRUTH...????? it will be a good game and the ABs will win
pete and paul
Roar Rookie
but the ABs don't discount them at all...and that is the main point...everybody else just has an opinion...ABs to win
pete and paul
Roar Rookie
No he is a realist and you are a dreamer
pete and paul
Roar Rookie
oh get a life...a coach whose team beat the mighty Boks and because he bases his decision on the STATS you get up set, well go find mummy and hold on to her apron strings...boohoo
WallaTah
Roar Rookie
It is clearly a reverse mocker to appease the gods and some mind games thrown in. Putting the pressure back on the kiwis that they are favourites to win and Wallabies are the plucky underdogs. Eddie will be backing the Aussies to win privately, him & Cheika are old school team mates.