Eddie Jones returning to Australian rugby is a double-edge sword, but two things are certain: Rugby in Australia will get more media exposure and it won’t matter how Eddie performs in the 2023 World Cup.
RA and Jones have plenty to fall back on if the Wallabies fail in France, which most expect.
Excuses could be rolled out, with eight months to prepare. Having said that, as coaches go, Jones has more international coaching experience than any other person in the current system.
It’s something that doesn’t sit well with me, at first read, but Jones is definitely a better coach than Dave Rennie, from a national perspective.
Rennie has certainly done a good job at creating depth and handing Jones a stronger player group, but some of his selections were strange to say the least.
Jones has five years to make this all click. Finding a good fly-half and fullback are crucial but he can get more out of the players and reduce the ridiculous penalties, which Rennie struggled with.
But can the players keep up to his standards? That is for another day.
Jones is, by far, the best Australian-born coach available and RA should be commended for this, brash, ballet decision.
Having said that, they will also need to stand by their decision and back Eddie for the full five-year tenure.
Jones will not have the luxury of the ‘judge me on the World Cup results’, as he also has a Lions tour to contend with.
Regardless, we should back Eddie Jones. He has made two World Cup finals and was part of a winning one in a lesser role for South Africa.
He desperately wants to win a World Cup and he has a shot at two for the first time.
2023 can have excuses, but it’s probably his best shot given he may burn everyone out by 2027.
Noodles
Roar Rookie
Do you mean WB coach has to get a gig with Japan or Georgia first? How does that work? And why doesn’t any nation do that?
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Eddie has never WON a Bledisloe, but did RETAIN the cup by sharing 2 series. Foster has won 3 series. Eddie won 3 from 10 Bledisloe matches with 30% win rate. Foster, from 9 matches has won 7 drawn 1 and lost 1 so has a 78% win record.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Nah... Reds players dont maul enough.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
He'll end up coaching the Reds !
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
Indeed Dan has to wear some of the responsibility for the poor record. So make sure your finances are in order, Dan. If you're lucky, you'll get gardening leave.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Yes, I'm not sure on the Wallaroos as well. Is it RA is just saving pennies giving Eddie a two for one job while the Wallaroos is a part time job at the moment. How do the women feel about his appointment? Sure it will give them more media coverage but will his mens side suck most of it up?
Passit2me
Roar Rookie
A logical article Riggers :thumbup: 2023 will be a year Eddie looks forward to as their much upside potential to test out his players in a short, nothing much to lose season.
PeterK
Roar Guru
No, nothing against the brumbies and I never care which state / franchise a player or coach is from. I want a proven intl head coach for the wallabies. Let rookie intl coaches learn their lessons, earn their stripes for another team.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
I really don't understand your "dislike" of Dan ( as a coach). Is it just because he was a successful Brumby coach?
DDSmash
Guest
Putting up with Eddie for 5 more years is scarcely believable and likely insufferable. That said, I haven’t read one comment that suggests Ian Foster is a better coach than Jones. Unless Razor has been signed the Bledisloe will be changing hands the next time there is a 3 match series.
PeterK
Roar Guru
a real bonus is McKellar won't be the wallaby hc after rwc 2023.
Wooliej
Roar Rookie
I’d like to understand his role with the Wallaroos. Maybe this will become his focus over the 5 years and they’ll eventually hand over the mens team to someone Eddie can supervise.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
EJ finds himself in a "dream" appointment. If we perform well at RWC (which I think we would have done under DR), Eddie takes the credit. If we fail early, Eddie will blame DR. Perfect. Eddie will say, "Don't worry Mate, we are building to the 2027 RWC". Great position for a coach to be in !