PARIS – Eddie Jones has picked a side not just to beat Georgia but beat them well. Ultimately though, all that matters is victory.
He could have wrapped the fit-again Samu Kerevi in cotton wool knowing the challenges that lay ahead. Instead, he has named the hulking centre to start against the Eastern Europeans.
Fabien Galthie didn’t take the same chance with Jonathan Danty – the second most important player to Les Bleus’ hopes after Antoine Dupont – despite their only Pool A threats being the All Blacks on the opening night of World Cup.
He could have taken a cautious approach with Taniela Tupou and Angus Bell, knowing the duo are paramount to their hopes of going deep into the tournament, despite James Slipper and Pone Fa’amausili close to returning to play.
Instead, Jones has named all three men to start.
Samu Kerevi will return against Georgia for the Wallabies’ World Cup opener. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Jones has done so because he recognises now is the time to turn the corner.
The Wallabies won’t and can’t win the World Cup on Saturday (Sunday, 2am), but it’s about taking a step forward.
Victory, no matter what form that takes against the world’s 11th ranked nation, will be all the Wallabies need to relieve the anxiety bubbling away in Australia and, indeed, the team.
The Wallabies coach might have surprised many by naming Ben Donaldson at fullback, but, as extraordinary as his selection appears, this isn’t simply a participation moment.
Jones has selected Donaldson over Andrew Kellaway, who is desperately unfortunate to be dropped, for two reasons.
He knows the Randwick playmaker has completely bought into his Australian way of not just seeing the game but playing it, too.
His heads-up rugby and cross-field kick to send Dylan Pietsch into score against the Blues in their quarter-final defeat was exactly the type of play that would have impressed Jones.
He has also picked Donaldson because he will help take the pressure off Carter Gordon at the kicking tee.
Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen, Samu Kerevi and Ben Donaldson during a training session ahead of the Rugby World Cup France 2023 on September 04, 2023 in Saint-Etienne. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
It doesn’t mean Western Force-bound back will continue to wear the No.15 jersey throughout the tournament, but, for the time being, his inclusion will allow Gordon to ease into the tournament without the burden of knowing he is the sole kicker.
Where Kellaway’s excellent support lines have been on show in recent months, Donaldson’s ability to both create and clear from his long boot will have impressed Jones.
Georgia is no longer merely a set-piece driven side but one that kicks often and counters through their impressive fullback Davit Niniashvili.
Donaldson will be tasked with ensuring the Wallabies play territory and pounce when the moment arises. With Marika Koroibete and Mark Nawaqanitawase out wide, the 24-year-old has two of the best wingers in the world to unleash.
Eddie Jones has named his strongest possible side to take on Georgia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Jones will be watching closely at how Kellaway responds following his axing.
Often a contrarian at the selection table, it’s not the first time Jones has dropped someone considered un-droppable by many.
But should the 27-year-old, who experienced the highs and lows of professional sport from a young age after a stellar junior career, not drop his bundle, it could well be the springboard back into the side.
Really though, Saturday’s Test will be won and lost up front by the Wallabies’ front-row.
It is there that will make and break the Wallabies.
Should Tupou and Bell be in a mood, with Will Skelton and Rob Valetini behind them, they can stampede over Georgia.
It’s off that forward momentum Jones wants his playmakers Tate McDermott to use their speed and attacking potency to unleash their men out wide, including Jordan Petaia.
If they do that, Georgia won’t be able to handle the Wallabies’ pace.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
It’s disgusting what’s happened to Cooper and Ikitau in particular. I’m absolutely livid
ShortBlind
Roar Rookie
Thx for the response mate, I was away O/S in 92 so missed that Eddie went South. I hear you re Rennie and thought he should have been given the RWC opportunity…..despite 38% the team’s performance trajectory was trending upwards and he had the group tight. I do think Rennie was trying to get the Wallabies to play ‘Chiefs Ball’ too much which worked for him with Waikato though was not clicking for the skills (mainly - a lack of) and Athletes available for the Wallabies. Yet he persisted and couldn’t seem to change. This is where EJ with vast International experience offers a point of difference. He can switch game plans to suit an opposition. Ask Mitchell and Deans about that one ((2003 RWC semi). For me he’s blooding the men he wants to play his main style/game plan. It’s taken a beating so far but 0-5 from playing the Saffas, AB, Frogs and improving Argies is not unexpected given their recent record. I can see what he’s trying to do. Chairmen Hamish appears an ego driven dill, but I reckon his man can still deliver Bill back to Coogee.????
jeznez
Roar Guru
I saw the Big Three headline and thought Eddie had been running a scam on us, Quade Cooper, Michael Hooper and Len Ikitau were in and playing after all!
jameswm
Roar Guru
I’d be up for a bit
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Eddie definitely had to take risks in his selection. He’s dropped everybody else who was eligible!
Jackass
Roar Rookie
So in short, Eddie has picked a bloke that is a part time 15 to start at 15 because his first choice goal kicker is not a great goal kicker, but the new 15 who couldn’t make his crap super rugby side and was let go to the Force isn’t a great kicker off the tee either nor a great kicker generally particularly when you need to find touch or re-start play with a drop kick AND a bench spot is there for a specialist winger, so the team has 3 specialist wingers for the game AND the one bloke who has been lighting it up (Isaak) no room for him because we need a 3rd backup kicker (White) to cover the first 2 kickers who are not really kickers but need to cover our ass. So, the absence of a reliable kicker is forcing some incredibly poor team selections? At least the pack looks OK, take out the lump Richie, add in Frost or Phillip and its pretty decent with the cattle available. Wish we had a menacing hooker, too light on there.
cinque
Roar Rookie
https://hellomusictheory.com/learn/songs-about-georgia/ For me Rainy night in Georgia the Randy Crawford version
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Let slip the dogs of war!
Adam
Roar Guru
He's Welsh. :thumbup:
Noodles
Roar Rookie
Hoping more for magical realism than Shakespeare
Noodles
Roar Rookie
It must be Catchy. Shaka has clearly pinned me. Or am I just dreamin’?
StuO
Roar Rookie
I have seen enough from this team under Jones to suggest they can be quality. If they can capitalise on their opportunities they will win the Georgia game easily. This means kicking "kickable" goals and converting pressure inside attacking 22 to points. This sounds obvious but it has been the achilles heal of the Wallabies so far under Jones. I guess converting pressure to points is what seperates the best from the rest.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Is ‘ prereality illusion ’ a thing? As in creative visualisation? As in Henry at Agincourt?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
That’s the wisdom from my armchair Jed.
jeznez
Roar Guru
We'll see James. I think he's started early on the re-development of the team that should be taking place next year and that we are not giving this WC our best shot. Let's hope he proves me wrong
jeznez
Roar Guru
EJ actually spent a season at Southern Districts in 1992 (Glen Ella was head coach and had got him in), I held the bag for him as a young colt during pre-season and was an absolute privilege to see first hand at close range the approach and intensity he brought to training. My issue is purely that he was brought on to bring us that extra one or two percent and take us over the top to win this world cup. I begrudgingly bought into that, even though I think Rennie deserved the chance to have his shot. It seems that we are instead embarking on a development tour instead of the promised smash and grab - I'm very angry. We've not only spent about a million bucks we don't have to get him and his assistants in, I don't believe we'll see a performance in this WC as good as it should be. I think EJ is intentionally selecting young players so that he can hide behind them. To paraphrase what he's been saying about them, They are young players, of course they are going to make mistakes, it's not my fault. His opening advertisement for the WC was telling the fans the he couldn't wait to prove us wrong. I'm long past ready for him to do so.
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
I see Georgia giving us a solid workout for 30 mins especially if there's many stoppages but a 20 point win in the end
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I know Georgia have been spoken up a lot . But in reality if they beat Aus it will go down as a major upset ..Likewise if Scotland beat South Africa that will be a shock result . Both SA and Aus to win comfortably.
ShortBlind
Roar Rookie
Jez, always respected your wisdom here, especially from the trenches of the front row, but I have to ask. Did Eddie once kick you in the nuts in a ruck of something? Is it purely a distaste for that club from Sydney's Eastern Suburbs? You really don't seem to like/rate him despite his 50+ years IP in the game. I agree he is very eclectic in manner and style, however I respect his ability to shape a team and take them a long way into a tournament. I guess we'll know in a few weeks. Go Wallabies!
Noodles
Roar Rookie
You could allow a bit of prereality illusion brother