Mind games or not, the Wallabies’ decision to wear casual clothing during their first camp under Eddie Jones was an embarrassment.
What should have been a joyful occasion for the 36 players present, including newcomer Max Jorgensen, who chose rugby over the NRL, was shameful.
Instead of opening a bag with Wallabies training kit, they got sweet stuff all.
As a result, Jorgensen was photographed wearing an Adidas training top.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones talks with Max Jorgensen. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The Wallabies’ sponsors Asics, who had representatives at the training camp, would have been gobsmacked to see their apparel rivals promoted across newspapers and the internet with Rugby Australia’s best young talent.
Worse still, Taniela Tupou, the face of Australian rugby and the current most expensive player after his new multi-million dollar deal, wore a Dolphins jersey on the first day.
In this new Code War era, it was a free hit for the NRL.
Rather than the Wallabies’ proud logo being on show, the game’s most marketable player was wearing a rival jersey. He should have been sent back to his expensive hotel room and asked to put on a different shirt.
Taniela Tupou during an Australia Wallabies training camp at Sanctuary Cove. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
One senior Rugby Australia figure described it as a “clusterf–k”.
Wallabies management naturally downplayed it, before saying it wasn’t an official training camp, the new 2023 kit was not yet available, particularly with the squad to change considerably by the time The Rugby Championship arrives, and Jones was trying to get the message across that nothing had been earned.
One or all of those things might be true (and plenty of excuses are being put out there), but there are plenty of local under-5s teams who get a training kit. While players were told not to bring their Super Rugby uniforms, surely they could have worn their club uniforms.
After all, isn’t the game’s grassroots in desperate need of support?
Instead, the once-proud Wallabies looked like a squad of randoms playing park footy.
That’s all good for Jones’ desire to keep the Wallabies’ mentality in check, but in a World Cup year it was a bizarre look and one that was at odds with Australian rugby’s insistence that the Eddie Jones era is, indeed, a reset.
Already Australia’s Super Rugby sides are struggling for attention.
Their dire results, with the exception of the consistent Brumbies, have meant most mainstream media have turned a blind eye to Australian rugby.
It’s why the Wallabies’ decision to wear casual clothes was even more dumbfounding.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
No prop plays 80mins. Last year he played more minutes then pretty much any other prop in Super Rugby.
Biscuit man
Roar Rookie
This means nothing. If people are more concerned about training kits than playing rugby, we have lost before we begin. FFS, there is talk of us having to play world cup games in a white strip to accommodate a handful of colour-blind people. That's a bigger story. And well done to the Western Force for beating a Kiwi side. If we don't start competing against them, Super Rugby is dead.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
It’s not about playing gear.. no one is suggesting that… a freakin tee shirt and some shorts with a printed logo costs next to nothing.. and you seriously think these guys would feel like they have been given a hand out because they got a pair of shorts and a t-shirt… I didn’t know Aussie rugby were so cheap and desperate. It wouldn’t cost anything… maybe they shouldn’t have footed the bill for the food, beers and accomodation they covered. They could have got some matching stuff for virtually free. That you and others like you think it’s a handout that you resent these players getting (it must be earned) is simply laughable
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Seriously if you don’t get that dollars makes the world spin and how that works good luck. Let Australia go back to amateur days and see how relevant they become. Your contribution is valued, but you seem to be butt hurt that you aren’t being fawned over and a statue made to you. If you are looking for adulation, sadly it’s a money world and charities rarely get given their dues. You got busted playing a game you loved. Nobody made you. That you think you deserve something because you played the game and volunteered to help a game that gave so much to you without demanding or asking for anything back is pretty out there Timmy. Feeling aggrieved and ranting about it here or in the SMH changes nothing and misses a whole lot in my opinion.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
And the same way most dismiss the wallabies chances under the new messiah EJ. It’s entertaining though..
Chivas
Roar Rookie
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Phil
Roar Rookie
Thanks Christy. I’ve got no problem with winning back dual code players but there’s a limit, our resources need to go into those players within our game and grassroots. I think converts should be selected based on how they perform in rugby. They should be treated like everyone else. They shouldn’t be paid so much until they perform in rugby. They shouldn’t be selected first then allowed to make mistakes and learn the game in the gold jersey. Folau is a great example. He was undroppable no matter how badly he played which was detrimental to him and the team. Marika no issue there, he has proven himself. Eddie has now chosen Vunivalu despite his poor form and terrible workrate, and despite Jones saying his number one thing he was looking for is work rate and work off the ball. My fear is that Jones’ ego is so big that he thinks he has the coaching ability to make him a star by RWC time. When he was asked about it, he said coaching is about contradictions. Such arrogance. My big issue really is those in charge of caretaking our game, Jones, McLennon, Marinos, publicly declaring their love for a rival code. Jones even saying he wants to coach league (why doesn’t he if that’s where his passion is?), fawning over league players etc is embarrassing and damaging. Can’t they just back their own code like most league people do? But worst is that Jones thinks it’s one of the keys to success, even though it failed him last time, when not only did the coverts makes crucial errors that contributed to the RWC final loss, but they were also part of Jones’ team that lost 8 of his last 9 games in charge. I really hope you guys can challenge him and hold him to account.
cj
Roar Rookie
In other news if Thor is doing deadlifts or cleans, his achilles tendon must be doing ok.
Cec
Roar Rookie
One is never sure with EJ but I wouldn’t put it past him that this ‘dress code’ was intentional & part of his mind games. It would keep players on edge about team selection and message “you’re not yet on team WB”. EJ may also be playing around with the media & fans as we are all talking about it & just got bait clicked. Surely EJ bought that Dolphins jersey for TT to have another dig at Vlandy :laughing:. Who knows, who cares let’s just focus on the substance and not the book cover. Relax folks it’s just a camp and not team selection! Remember EJ has a long track record of bringing players into camp who never get a chance to wear a test jumper or get invited back to camps.
Chika
Roar Rookie
If anything Eddie has given value to the ASICS wallabies gear with a statement of the privilege to wear it. All about perspective. Nothing to see here, move on.
piru
Roar Rookie
You what
Loosey
Roar Rookie
I agree casual is not a good look. How about every just rocks up in their club colours and official training kit? That would make a lot more sense.
Loosey
Roar Rookie
He's no orca
Jonesy
Roar Rookie
A fail for the wallabies business manager but also the ASICS rep - should’ve sent over a shipment of gear, the camp wasn’t a secret!
numpty
Roar Rookie
Sorry but it's a non-story. Shock horror a Qld athlete likes another sport and supports a Qld team in that sport :shocked:. Is it an opportunity missed to wear club jerseys or some such? - maybe. But should they be criticised for not doing that? Also no. Storm in a teacup on what must've been a slow news day.
Jetka
Roar Rookie
To be honest, you can’t blame the supplier for not wanting to drop the kit off until RA has paid the invoice.
piru
Roar Rookie
We're a different beast at home. I'm confident (as always)
Christy Doran
Editor
Agreed.
Christy Doran
Editor
RA logistics managers.
Christy Doran
Editor
Cheers for reading Phil. You don't like the pursuit of NRL players. All good. I think some can add value, both on the field and off. Folau added plenty, Koroibete has been Australia's most consistent player over the past four years.