Eddie Jones’ decision to leave Quade Cooper out of his World Cup squad is a tough one to understand but I think it came down to a choice between Quade and Nic White.
I have huge respect for Whitey and Quade and their games. If it was up to me they’d both be on the plane to France but I’m trying to delve into the mind of Eddie and see why he might have made the decision he has with respect to his 9s and 10s and their balance.
Firstly, I don’t think either of them played as well as they would have liked to in the lead-up to the announcement of the squad.
It seems like Eddie wanted a good blend of youth and experience and I don’t think he felt as though he could take them both to the World Cup.
Maybe if they’d played well enough and demanded selection he would have – but because of their form, he probably felt forced to choose between them.
In a situation where it was either-or, I would have gone for Quade for this reason:
Carter Gordon is going to be the starting No.10 and Tate is going to be starting No.9, I think. Eddie would be thinking he could choose an experienced 9 as cover or an experienced 10, but not both.
For me, the balance would work better if he selected Quade only, or both of them.
(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
As a young 10 it would give Carter a level of comfort knowing that you’ve got someone like Quade there to mentor and guide you, and to be there off the bench in case you’re not playing well.
Whereas you wouldn’t say Tate is inexperienced at all, or needs similar support to Carter. Tate’s coming into the prime of his career in that regard – he’s played over 50 Super games and 24 Tests.
Eddie did give Quade every chance to push his case for selection. And likewise with Whitey, who would probably agree he hasn’t been up to the high standards that he sets for himself.
But the team just hasn’t functioned well and certain individuals have to pay the price for that.
It’s natural that Quade will be disappointed. It’s the pinnacle of your rugby career to be able to represent your country at a World Cup, but with where he’s at in terms of the man that he is and the place that he is in his life, it’s very much it’s just another step along the journey.
He’ll be the first to say that he doesn’t particularly define himself as just being a rugby player. Achieving success for him is more day-to-day and it’s that journey that’s important to him. He’ll be disappointed but he’ll take in his stride.
On reflection, it’s odd that Eddie hasn’t given Ben Donaldson or Issak Fines-Leleiwasa a go this season and yet they’ve been parachuted straight in.
Head coach Eddie Jones of Australia looks on during the Australia Wallabies Captain’s Run at Logan Park on August 04, 2023 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
What that suggests to me is that Eddie’s prioritising the future. Whatever they get out of this World Cup – and they could go all the way – this tournament is almost a bonus.
Eddie has decided to take the opportunity to regenerate the squad like France did in 2019 when they picked all their young players. They have been seeing the fruits of that develop over the last four years leading into this World Cup.
They’ve had an incredible run of success and it seems like Eddie is trying to go with the same formula.
If we won the games leading into the World Cup, even one or two out of the four, it would have meant the players were tracking in the right direction. So, it would have been justifiable to pick those players, such as Quade, Michael Hooper and others who have missed out after a lot of chances.
The fact that we went none from four means there needed to be some sort of concession made that what we’re doing isn’t working.
Overall the selection is incredibly brave. And yet, because of the nature of the draw, there’s a chance that we get through the quarters and the semis and that’s enough to justify the direction he’s taking us.
It was very much a rebuild job when he came in. As much as he talks about it being a “smash and grab” you’ve got to rebuild the game from the ground up and obviously that starts with the Wallabies. There will be short-term pain of bringing players up to speed from a skill level perspective, introducing a winner’s mindset, in the short term and also the long term.
Being a young team, hopefully they will go in and play with a bit of freedom, not carry the baggage of prior results. If they can get through to the quarters – it sounds simple and stupid – but it’s whoever turns up in the best headspace. Against New Zealand, England or France, if you play with the right mindset it’s anyone’s game.
I understand the decision to leave out Michael Hooper, even though he could have featured.
Since he came back from his mental health break last year I think he hasn’t been the same player. Maybe that’s partially to do with all the things that were going on mentally, but also it just seems physically that he’s been struggling a bit. He seems a bit banged up. In that Springboks Test in Pretoria he made a couple of tackles and he was clutching at his shoulder.
We’re used to seeing Hoops throw himself at everything. At his best, he’s as full of running in the first second as the last second. He’s full of energy in the contact area, ripping in.
It just seems like he’s probably lost a little bit of his edge. Maybe that’s a mental thing or maybe it’s a physical thing. Then you combine that with the fact that you’ve got guys coming through like Fraser McReight and Tom Hooper, both of whom were exceptional on the weekend against the All Blacks.
They’re young, they’re hungry and it seems like it is unfortunately time up for Hoops. It’s not easy for me to say because he’s younger than me, but I had so much respect for him as a player because of all the things that he’s been able to achieve.
And also the way he’s conducted himself and how consistent his standards have been in a time for Australian Rugby where there just hasn’t been that much success. He’s been one of the very, very few shining lights.
The big surprise for me has been the fall from grace of Pete Samu. He would complement the backrow really well. I like the idea of Pete in the No.7 jersey and every time he’s worn it he’s done well. He’s a big body, he’s physical, he’s dynamic in the carry and he’s one that I feel would be quite unlucky to not be there.
The other is Ryan Lonergan. He’s taken over the pecking order at the Brumbies in place of Whitey and I think he would actually suit the way Eddie wants to play best of anyone. He’s quick to the breakdown, excellent pass, good kicker. Probably doesn’t have the same running game as a Tate but if you look at the core responsibilities of a 9, he probably edges Tate. And he’s a leader just like Tate. That’s a really tough one for me.
Pete Samu. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
The biggest thing that surprised me about the squad is the number of changes, although it might not be as dramatic as it appears on the surface.
The narrative around the last four Tests has been about building combinations, allowing guys to come back from injury and get into better nick for the World Cup. Building cohesiveness as a group, understanding the way they want to play together – and now this selection leading into the World Cup is almost like the opposite.
But if you look at the last two Tests, the core of what Eddie wants is there – Tate at 9, Carter at 10 , Samu at 12, Jordan Petaia, Andrew Kellaway and the wingers. The backline remains untouched. And in terms of your pack, you’ve got Hooper, you’ve got McReight, you’ve got Rob Valetini, you’ve got Will Skelton. The core of the group is there.
So it’s not as radical as it might look on face value.
Collie Flower
Roar Rookie
Thanks for your article, Will. Also appreciate your work on the Gits & Genia pod, and your insights as a guest on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
Capt Sensible
Roar Rookie
Not with EJ running the show.
Capt Sensible
Roar Rookie
Nice words and totally agree das.
Capt Sensible
Roar Rookie
Maybe White has secretly signed with Randwick. Maybe Vunivalu too.
Capt Sensible
Roar Rookie
Thanks Loosey
Guess
Roar Rookie
fact that you’ve got guys coming through like Fraser McReight and Tom Hooper, both of whom were exceptional on the weekend against the All Blacks. Really mcreight was exceptional? What was exceptional 6 tackles or hanging around the ruck hoping for pilfer? He’s slower not as agile and doesn’t put pressure. Hooper does, even the one who’s lost the edge. Too many people make it sound like Hooper was poor while mcr was something special which is a fairytale. Anyway no matter the reasons or his preferences, it’s shty of Eddie how he treated him and how ugly whole thing is
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
The language used by Will implies Ikitau was not needed. “But if you look at the last two tests, the core of what Eddie wants is there” he then goes on to list Petia as the 13.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Isn't Berrick Barnes paid to instruct / coach mentor Carter? I like the idea some veterans aren't going something need to change ,can't always be the coach I thought Rennie kept picking aged players at his own demise thru loyalty..Eddie at least has drawn line in the sand and prob didn't go far enough for mine .. Talakai doesn't go but Slipper does who now sees holding up scrum as optional.Quade Whitey have been ordinary for players if there pay rate and skill level, perhaps Eddies jumbo mumbo gameplans did them no favours but ordinary is ordinary..
Sofa Coach
Roar Rookie
Crusher there's nothing to imply- Ikitau is not in the squad. But other injured players are. QC, Jorgo, Kerevi, Tupou, Iki, Hoops, (Slipper? He looks it!) are all seriously talented. All crueled by injury this season. All deserve selecting. Eddie's carrying only half this list but not the other half. It's understandable that he feels he can't carry a full 30% of the squad injured and so some tough calls were made. I don't agree with all of them, but he's paid a lot more than us for his opinion, so I hope he's right!
Sofa Coach
Roar Rookie
The Lynagh and Edmed stocks are high. Gordon is moon stock right now. Lolo is fighting hard and has the support of probably the greatest Wallaby 10 ever. But from next best thing to yesterday man in less than a season, unwanted even by his club, I suspect that Eddie feels that Dono needs some love right now. Eddie wants depth at all 5 super clubs to beat the kiwis and fighting for test honours. If Dono comes good again, by the time the Lions get here in 2 years, Eddie will have maybe a half a dozen up and coming flyhalves to choose from instead of none, which was the situation that both he and DR inherited. Hard to fault EJ’s rationale. He’s been around a long while now and got plenty of scars to prove it. He has a free pass for this tournament and he’s using it. Because he’ll have no excuses by the time the Lions arrive. He’ll be expected to deliver by then.
Sofa Coach
Roar Rookie
Marcus, I reckon just about every rugby head who is paying attention to Eddie and this wallaby soap opera agree with Will, and you and all the other roarers and paid pundits. It seem Eddie gave away lots of hints but most of us missed them because we were using conventional thinking, not Eddie Jones thinking. For example, he told us he was going to need several captains. We just all assumed that he meant in the same RWC squad, rather than as a constant series of successions in the lead up. He told us this was a "smash and grab". We just didn't realise that meant that he's basically sacrificing this tournament for the BIL tour in 2 years and our home RWC tournament in 4. He's building depth and experience now. If he pulls off a heist here in the process, we'll that's a smash and grab. Still, I like Will fail to understand the dumping of QC (closely followed by the omissions of the Samu and Ikitau). It's an enormous responsibility on Gordon. Eddie talks about the process of developing young 10s and then throws CG well into the deep end. We're all impressed by the kid. He's got all the tools. So I don't see the need to put him in such a pressure position. It could damage him like the pressures on QC and Lolesio before him. Yes it could make him too, but he was developing beautifully anyway. But it looks like Lonegran and Fines are perhaps just Eddie mind games. He's sending a message to Fines that he's in the picture and he wants Lonegran to fight back just as Tate did when he was overlooked in earlier selections. But only Eddie understands the Vunivalu, Ikitau and Samu decisions. The former never managed to impress anyone but Eddie and the latter pair seem to have impressed everyone but Eddie. Ikitau is a possible world XV selection, Samu is a standout backrow finisher and both are likely to still be in the picture in 4 more years, so the experience is important for them too. The only explanation I heard anyone come up with for Vunivalu is a contractual obligation. More code war nonsense perhaps? I don't get it. He wasn't remotely interested in code wars while employed by the RFU. The Matildas should be a stout lesson to Eddie and RA. The battle to win hearts and eyeballs is conducted through commitment and proud performances on and off the pitch. Those girls and their coaches clearly have each other's backs and each other's backing. No amount of mind gaming and over complicated soap opera can replace that in team sports, and most especially in rugby, where one puts one's body on the line at great risk of personal harm, in the belief in, and service of, one's mates.
Rhodie
Roar Rookie
Well said...
WEST
Roar Guru
Nice read Will.. but you sound just as confused as the rest of us. Despite you trying to justify all these bizarre Eddie Jones decisions & comments. Experience is highly valuable over youth. Think we both know EJ is just rolling the dice and hoping a moment of individual brilliance or an opportunity will luckily appear to give this team a break it needs to start clawing it’s way out of a hole. This is a completely new environment for a lot of these players, it can be very daunting. From the refs interpretation of the laws, to the strange new French environment. Fact is this team will either sink or swim. Because there isn’t time to prepare them now. They’re being thrown into the deep end. Only reason I can assume EJ is so optimistic is because of their pool? But in this RWC there is no such thing as an easy pool. Despite what it looks like from the outside. Other thing EJ has to take into consideration is injuries and fatigue that will play its role, the time zone will mess them up as they try to settle into their new comfort zone, believe they’re basing themselves in the southern part of France, France itself for most of these guys won’t be what they think.. Eiffel Tower, croissants etc it’s very hostile and intimidating. It’s far from what you see on Instagram or anything magical, it’s now a very dangerous and at times scary place to be. Hope all of these teams have good security.. they’re going to need it.
Rhodie
Roar Rookie
100% correct.
Rhodie
Roar Rookie
I’ll start off by saying I’ve been a Wallaby supporter for 42 years so far, but … I’ve never known Jeff W. to be as you describe him!
Rhodie
Roar Rookie
Agreed ... I'd have picked Pietsch for sure.
Rhodie
Roar Rookie
I would have picked Ryan L. instead of Nic W. for sure. Quade has never been one of my preferences due to his tackle shyness. Carter G. is a good pick. Pete S. was a surprise, although we have varied cover in the loose. Props look good, especially Bell. But there are some big, efficient packs in this comp. I think we might reach the semi's. I hope all these near selections keep their match fitness up ... in case.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
If fit I’d rather have Ole Will than White !
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
Hey will always appreciate your insights and on Quade as mentor valid but with Berrick Barnes on coaching staff probably as good a mentor that also fed into Eddie’s thinking perhaps
soapit
Roar Guru
Yeah in theory they could be great. Big gamble though when you've left a queue class option at home. Not sure how serious it is myself obviously but they were saying he'd be in doubt for first game?