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SAINT ETIENNE – The Wallabies’ World Cup preparations took another step forward on Friday, as the squad was unveiled at their welcoming ceremony in Saint Etienne.
Under the beating sun, the Wallabies were for the second time in as many days warmly received by locals as the entire touring party received their World Cup caps and participation medals.
During an hour long ceremony in a town hall just a few kilometres from the Place Marengo in the centre of the city, the Wallabies watched on as they were welcomed by dignitaries and local dancers.
The Wallabies were encouraged to make the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, known as the “cauldron” by locals, who generally roll out in numbers to watch their AS Saint-Etienne football side, their own.
The stadium will see the Wallabies play Fiji and Portugal at the venue, before the World Cup moves on to the knockout stage.
But with Saint Etienne the site of the Wallabies’ team base, for now the city is embracing Eddie Jones’ side.
Taniela Tupou takes a photograph during the Wallabies’ Welcome Ceremony ahead of the World Cup in France 2023, on September 01, 2023 in Saint-Etienne. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
In front of dozens of local children and parents, the Wallabies received their gifts, gathered for a squad photograph and then were mingled with the audience whilst tucking into green and gold macaroons.
“It’s pretty cool. We got a medal as well. Now it’s more of a feeling. You are here and we’re ready to go,” said Wallabies lock Nick Frost, who is one of 25 players featuring at their maiden World Cup.
“This is our official ceremony and there’s not many days until the first match. Friends and family will be over. We’re really looking forward to it.”
The afternoon was a rare moment to sit back and relax and take in the joys of World Cup fever.
Earlier, it was anything but relaxing.
Indeed, the Wallabies have been slogging it out in recent weeks with no stone being left unturned by Jones and his coaching team. Nor should there be either.
Winless heading into the World Cup from five Tests, the Wallabies are feeling the heat given their unsuccessful start to their 2023 campaign.
Eddie Jones arrives at the Wallabies’ Welcome Ceremony ahead of the Rugby World Cup France 2023, on September 01, 2023 in Saint-Etienne. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The good news is though that despite not being able to wrestle back the Bledisloe Cup, nothing else really matters except the results over the next two months.
“It is disappointing not having those results but again we’re at a World Cup and every game counts from here. It hasn’t started yet. No one has won a game and no one has lost a game,” Frost said.
“We’re ready to rip in and we’re looking forward to it.
“We’re all starting at the same starting line at this World Cup. It’s essentially knockout footy from here on now. Every game is important and we don’t take any game for granted and we’re really looking forward to that.”
Nick Frost signs autographs during the Wallabies’ Welcome Ceremony ahead of the Rugby World Cup France 2023, on September 01, 2023 in Saint-Etienne. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
If the Wallabies are going to shed their tags of pretenders to contenders, they will have to fix their rolling maul.
Increasingly an important part of the game, the Wallabies have enjoyed little pay from the set-piece area.
While they managed to score off an advantage against Les Bleus in their only points of the afternoon for the first 60 minutes, their maul has been largely unsuccessful since Pierre-Henry Broncan took over from Dan McKellar at the crucial area.
“We’ve had a few tough reviews, especially after last weekend’s performance,” Frost said.
“We want to use it as a weapon. We do believe it can be a weapon. We poked a few people in the chest. From here it’s about our intent and loving the maul.”
While the technicalities of the maul are significant, like defence, the area is often said to be won and lost in the mindset.
“There is always technical things you can be better at but there is definitely a love for mauling and intent and a want to do it [to be successful].”
Pierre Henry Broncan (R) pulls a rope during a maul training session on Coogee Beach in June. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Frenchman Broncan, who was hired by Jones in April after being sacked by Castres despite making the Top 14 final a year earlier, said the Wallabies needed to continue to work on their mentality to turn the maul into a weapon.
“We need to reinforce our maul, for sure,” Broncan said.
“We need to improve every day.
“We need to change the mindset of the Aussies because it’s a very important thing, a very important part of the game. If you watched the game between South Africa and All Blacks there was 10 mauls during the game but just one try in the game to South Africa.
“Today we had some problems around the connection. During the pitch we need a focus to stay connected and fight in front of the maul. We are going to be ready for the World Cup.”
Broncan said there was no reason the Wallabies couldn’t turn the aspect into a weapon but reiterated they had to work harder without the ball.
“The quality of the player is not a problem, the physicality of the player is not the problem, but to be a very good maul you need eight, nine, 10 players to stay connected and drive in the same way,” he said.
“Today the focus of some [Australian] players is to carry the ball, to pass, to run, but the most important thing is the dark thing in the maul, it’s the most important thing. It’s important to fight without the ball. That’s a big change.
“The mindset of the boys during the week is very good, but we need to change the mindset during the game. It’s not just about carrying the ball. If you want a good maul you need to fight without the ball, that’s the most important thing.”
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.