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Opinion
In the two weeks since Rugby Australia made the shock announcement of Eddie Jones as Wallabies coach until the 2027 World Cup on home soil, has the move worked so far?
From an exposure perspective it’s a resounding yes.
The media have been all over this move and has placed rugby on the back pages for the first time in a while, all before they start the season, so that is a massive win.
To use some boxing analogies, Eddie is jabbing, without any knockout punches. He has stated the he is a huge fan of rugby league and wants to get supporters from the 13-man code to get behind the Wallabies and their relevant Super Rugby franchises.
He has also encouraged the AFL mad states to do the same – not leave their current code, but to embrace another. It’s a smart move and one which created a Sydney Swans following in the 1980s and ’90s.
This has been the Aussie way for years, but Rugby Australia lost its way with backing the glory of the past and wasting money.
Eddie understands that can’t and won’t happen and wants to grab extra heads from each province. He will engage and he will promote. But can the players do the same?
The other key takeaway is that all Super Rugby players are on notice and engaged all of a sudden.
Dave Rennie built some great depth with limited resources and instilled belief in lesser-known players.
There are a range of players that are fringe but have ability. Plenty of Force and Rebels talent are perhaps not in the spotlight due to their lower placings on the ladder.
Eddie’s immediate exposure to the media suggests more eyeballs on Super Rugby. If the teams can perform and Eddie creates a platform for media exposure, it is going to create interest.
On the flip side, if the Super Rugby teams do not perform, it could be a car wreck.
The Waratahs and Brumbies are being stalked up, the Reds are the dominant Aussie team but cannot perform against our brothers across the ditch, while the Rebels and Force last year were more up and down than a yo-yo.
Then you have a reduced Rugby Championship. What if the Wallabies don’t win a match? Given Rugby Australia have given Jones a five-year term, this could be redressed as rebuilding process.
In a more positive scenario, the Wallabies could win a few matches, perhaps even the entire Rugby Championship, dare I suggest even the Bledisloe Cup.
This move from Rugby Australia has definitely garnered interest from the sporting journalists and expectations have improved. Eddie is a media machine and all codes have taken notice.
If Eddie Jones can get results, the train is moving, but if the Super Rugby teams falter, perhaps the train will at Central Station for six months.
My personal opinion is that Eddie deserves a chance. Let’s see where this ride ends.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.