At the same time Eddie Jones was announced as the new Wallabies coach in January, Rugby Australia revealed he would also “oversee the Wallaroos program” in a “world first”.
That part of Jones’ job description has gone under the radar this week as members of the national women’s team spoke out against inequalities with the men – including the resources lavished on their own ‘overseer’ Jones with his team of assistants.
In contrast to the millions paid to Jones to come home, the Wallaroos coach Jay Tregonning is part time – he works as a Wollongong school teacher.
Jones is, of course, in France with the Wallabies, trying with all his might to turn around a team that is 0-4 heading into the tournament – and he can be excused for being fully focussed on that job.
But the Wallaroos statement gives a clear sign of Jones’ standing within the Wallaroos set up.
On Tuesday, Jones acknowledged he has had no time to make any impact with the women’s program, and couldn’t say if that part of his role would continue next year, when Rugby Australia will employ a fulltime coach along with a newly appointed High Performance Manager.
“In addition to his role with the Wallabies, and in a world-first, Jones will also oversee the Wallaroos program as Rugby Australia pushes forward towards a professional future for the Women’s XVs game,” is how the Rugby Australia media release on January 16 framed it.
It always looked an odd appointment and wasn’t made much clearer when the soon to be deposed CEO of RA Andy Marinos told ESPN:
“His role is to oversee the whole program. It’s an overseeing role working with the coaches, I would envisage that when the girls get into periods of international assembly he would spend a day or two with the girls and just be on the field and getting an understanding for that environment. But [it is] very much for Jay [Tregonning] and his coaching staff to run and have the benefit of that strategic insight and advice over the top.
“[Jones has] got a huge amount of knowledge and understanding across the programs, and I just think it’s a valuable resource. Understanding the coaching age of our coaches, when I say the coaching age in terms of their coaching experience right across Super Rugby and the Wallabies and Wallaroos, having that experience and being able to lean on that is only going to be beneficial for the overall rugby ecosystem.”
On Tuesday, Jones said of the Wallaroos’ disgruntlement: “I’ve got my hands a little bit full here, so that’s obviously a secondary issue for me.”
Newly appointed Wallabies coach Eddie Jones (C) poses alongside Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan (L) and Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos (R) . (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
He then compared the team to the Matildas, fully professional players in elite programs who are well (if not perfectly) funded by their sport.
“I think it’s wonderful what the Matildas have done for Australian sport and women in general, and we’re all hopeful that the Wallaroos will do the same when the time comes about. And we’re all supporting them to do that,” Jones said.
The Roar asked Jones if he had a chance to “be on the field” with the Wallaroos as expected by the RA hierarchy at the time of his appointment.
“I have been here since January 29th and I don’t think I have had a day off. It has been impossible,” said Jones.
“I have sat in a couple of meetings with Wallaroos coaching staff but that’s the extent of it at the moment.”
(That and a funding announcement at Kirribilli House alongside Albo).
Jones continued: “They have a great coach in Jay, he is doing a good job. I have reached out and said if you need anything, come see me or give me a ring. I have met up with the attack coach (Sione Fukofuka) who is up in Brisbane. I have been trying to do what I can but obviously given the situation of me coming in late, it has been reasonably hectic.”
So Eddie isn’t actually everywhere and his excuses seem completely reasonable – even if giving him such a wide remit in the first place does not.
And asked if a fulltime coach coming in next year meant he would no longer need to be involved, Jones replied: “That’s not my decision, mate. That’s the decision of Rugby Australia and Phil Waugh, so I will let him decide that.”
All we can wonder is what was the purpose of giving him both roles in the first place?
Nick Wasiliev
Editor
Well, you're entitled to your own opinion, but I do have some thoughts on this: 1. I support the idea such a competition because my measurement of success is very different to the framing many rugby fans have. People view that the only measurement of success was crowds, sponsors and engagement, which misses the point of why the competition was created entirely: the gap between Super Rugby and clubland is much larger than it was two decades ago. For me, success is an improved quality of rugby on the park, and while it takes over a decade to often see that mature, we were already starting to see massive improvements in clubland off the back of players and coaches working in the NRC, like the improvement of Southern Districts when they became more involved with the Rams, or even Darren Coleman winning the Shute Shield comp with Warringah in 2017 and he admitted losing the NRC Grand Final in 2016 played a huge part in his own growth. RUPA conducted a survey at the end of the 2016 season with all the players in the competition, and 96% of players said they thought it improved their rugby and would play again if selected the following year. That is what we need to measure as success, you invest the time there and it leads to an ROI in a stronger clubland and stronger Super Rugby sides, and national sides down the track. 2. I criticise clubs? Can you give me an example? My articles aim to fill people in on the latest games happening in clubland, highlight the best games to watch week to week, and also highlight exciting players coming through the ranks. Frankly, I love watching any club rugby anywhere in the country, it's great! Why would I criticise them? If you are talking about the idea of a club competition filling in the gap between SRP and clubland, yes I do have issues with it, but that is not aimed any specific club competitions or clubs. For one, I know clubs run off the backs of many dedicated people who put in the time and effort to ensure success, and putting further pressure on them to deliver another competition is a responsibility I think should sit with the professional arm of our game. For me, quality game time and improving quality of players is success, and having the chance to have the game grow nationally is a great opportunity, so such a competition would need to be reflective of that. We currently have no clear idea what the teams selected will look like, hence my concerns. 3. Again, your opinion and you're entitled to it. I'm still going to write them because I know that there are people and clubland players reading them, and the interest is there to see that next generation of talent coming through. While numbers are relative compared to people being interested in the Wallabies and SRP, people care about clubland, and I personally always love to sit and cover that side of rugby. It's where all the really interesting stuff is happening.
robynn
Roar Rookie
Since you asked... 1 you spend the best part of the past decade boosting the failed ARC/NRC and 2 not missing any opportunity to criticise the Clubs and 3 you churn out anodyne stuff that lacks any heart or passion (because of point 2 above) And you're surprised no-one bothers to click on anything you put out on a subject you have no credibility with!
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
Eh?
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Yeah NZ and Eng seem to really be leading the way.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Thats kinda the point Tony! A taste of your own negative medicine... Don't take my word for it (no danger of that) listen to Eddie. Listen to the sound of empty seats and unread articles. This is getting terminal and the Roars contribution is recently (a few years) not a positive one...
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Rhetorical - but you know that...
LBJ
Roar Rookie
A gee up obviously, but then again...they might just be! Everyone in Aus =Y NZ = Y SA = most Eng/ Scott / Wal = most French = no idea It's a good candidate. Certainly the only other Australian candidates would be NSW and Qld...
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Thanks Nick, Fire with fire is precisely what I'm doing. For the longest time these absurd conversations have been taking place in an echo chamber - as if there is not even the possibility of an alternative view. To the extent that it has apparently been settled that Australian rugby is permanently subservient to NZ's NPC. All set against the backdrop of absolute vitriol for the selfish clubs that produce 95% of the players and supporters. A complete absence of even the recognition of the centenary of the Shute Shield and it's contribution to the game in this country is simply clear evidence of the situation. Your editorial team deserve to have it thrown in their face. Because they dont just reflect the happenings they lead the narrative. Imagine the roar publishing a positive article about the Shute Shield - it would be like Andrew Bolt coming out in support of the greens! Nobody would know what to do with it. For what it's worth, I read your articles and I love it. But you need more support - you write the stuff that rugby is about - keep it up. I wish I had any talent for writing - but clearly I am far too blunt an instrument. People like me rely on people like you to tell the story - keep it up there is support out there.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
The battle might be but not necessarily, the war DA. It is now definitely, in the hands of RA to see whether there is any, "bite in their bark."
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
Totally agree TJ….NZR has approx 20-25 women contracted to the BFs and a dozen or so, contracted to the BF7s. It is small beginnings but, it is a start for them. It can only increase, as more funding becomes available. Wait and see now if the new NZR+ streaming set-up, will provide positive outcomes.
Nick Wasiliev
Editor
This comment exhibits all the negativity you’ve been railing against. What exactly are you trying to achieve here? Trying to fight fire with fire? For several years now, I’ve been writing weekly columns on not just the Shute Shield, but the Hospital Cup, Fortescue Premier Grade, John I Dent Cup, Dewar Shield, Coopers Premier Grade and even a bit of Northern Territorian and Tasmanian rugby. I’ve been doing weekly full round previews, matches to watch, highlighting rising rugby players across all those competitions who deserve further honours, and highlighting where you can watch it. I’ve written hundreds of articles across multiple platforms as well, not just the Premier Players that I’ve started this year on The Roar, but also on GAGR and rugby.com.au. You can write all you want to (god knows how many hours I’ve done), but the sad reality is that the clubland audience isn’t actively seeking out this content, and that is what drives this whole operation, whereas people seek out their state and national teams and the goings-on at interstate/national level. Wish it wasn’t the case, but it is. It’s been consistently inconsistent on how to try and find ways to get people engaged with local clubland articles, god knows I’ve been trying to find you guys out there, it’s a labour of love to write and promote it! That isn’t going to stop me, because it’s the part of Australian rugby that I think is the most interesting. But, simply ranting here won’t do anything positive, at all. You want club rugby articles? Go find the ones out there and support them, share them with your club mates to get more of that audience involved, or better yet, start contributing!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Don't get me started on the lack of mountain biking content!
Double Agent The Second
Roar Rookie
I think that battle has already been lost OB. It was brief but ruthless. NRL has the cash and the best female players have gone (and will go) there. It's depressing but that's the reality.
Double Agent The Second
Roar Rookie
"How can I watch, where is the game.?" It's on Stan. You being such a devoted follower of the Shute Shield it's surprising you don't already know that. :shocked:
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
you know you can submit your own articles on here right?, if you want to champion the Shute Shield, then go for it, it's not up to the Roar to write about things you like. Speaking of, why no articles on here about Mountain Biking???....Roar?? get with my program.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
Randwick is the most famous rugby club on Earth?, always good to learn new facts on the Roar that I ( or anyone else on this green Earth ) never knew.
Wheelbarrow
Roar Rookie
I think his involvement in the wallaroos will be limited and should run through their current coach. He will oversee not coach. I have more of an issue with the timing of the women's event - let's run it at he same time as the men's world cup.....
NotKev
Roar Rookie
Blikkies, i think we are saying the same thing right ?
G Len N
Roar Rookie
Agreed.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
And of course impossible not to notice that its all men here discussing the potential futures of Women's Rugby ...Where are the women ...? ...Not good enough to cry foul and discrimination at every opportunity but not be participating in debates on the solutions .