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LYON – Eddie Jones says he has no regrets about not picking an experienced playmaker – even if it costs him his multimillion-dollar job.
In a high-octane press conference where Jones’ selection policy came under the microscope ahead of their do-or-die clash against Wales, the veteran coach didn’t flinch.
Not only did Jones insist the Wallabies would beat Wales on Sunday to keep their World Cup hopes alive with Ben Donaldson named at fly-half, but he went as far as saying the nation could go on to claim a third Webb Ellis Cup.
If that doesn’t happen though, Jones maintains it was essential to move past household names Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper for the betterment of the game.
“I don’t think that’s the future of Australian rugby,” Jones said.
“Those guys have been around, results over the last period of time haven’t been what they need to be.
“Our results are even worse, but sometimes you’ve got to do that to go forward.
“We need to create a new group of players that have higher standards of training, higher standards of behaviour, higher standards of expectation. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
Eddie Jones says the Wallabies had to go back to go forward (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Many have asked why Jones decided to usher through that change at the World Cup – the game’s biggest tournament, with Rugby Australia fighting to breathe life back into the game after a steady decline in silverware, crowds and television numbers.
“I don’t think waiting is the right answer. You need to start building a team,” Jones said.
“To win a World Cup I reckon it takes six years. All of what I look at, most teams are made in six years. Very rarely it’s done before that. It can be, but you look at most teams and they’re groups of young players who start together, might win under-20s together, have one or two years where they have a tough time, then they mature into a good team.”
Jones began the year by appointing Michael Hooper and James Slipper as co-captains for The Rugby Championship, while 35-year-old Quade Cooper wore the No.10 jersey.
Of the trio, only Slipper was given a plane ticket for the World Cup.
Indeed, 10 weeks after the Wallabies’ 43-12 first-up loss to the Springboks, five members from Jones’ first XV that lined up in Pretoria were not picked for the World Cup.
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones didn’t pick Michael Hooper (R) despite initially naming the veteran back-rower as a co-captain. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Jones said he went into the Wallabies’ Test season with an open mind but quickly discovered change was essential.
“Well, I went in there with an open heart, an open mind, that I was going to look at all the players. Then I was going to make assessments, and I did that,” he said.
While Jones signed a five-year deal with Rugby Australia in mid-January, six defeats from the Wallabies’ opening seven Tests has put his second tenure in charge with the national team – and those that parachuted him into the role for Dave Rennie – in doubt beyond the World Cup.
“At the end of the World Cup there’ll be a review,” Jones said.
“Given the results we’ve had then maybe Australian Rugby doesn’t want to keep me. That’s the reality of the job I live in. And I understand that.”
Fearful?
“No,” Jones said. “I’m just worried about coaching against Wales this week.”
Jones wouldn’t budge on whether he was committed to seeing out his contract other than to say he was only concerned with beating Wales on Sunday (Monday, 5am AEST).
Increasingly under Rennie’s tenure the New Zealander turned away from youth.
After bringing through Noah Lolesio in 2020, Rennie continually chopped and changed his halves.
The Wallabies react after losing to Fiji at the Rugby World Cup. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
He first brought Quade Cooper back from overseas and, next, Bernard Foley when Lolesio struggled for consistency. James O’Connor was also used at times.
Asked whether he thought he was doing what others had not in recent years, Jones said he was comfortable with ushering through the next generation of players.
“I don’t try to make myself out as a saint, but sometimes you’ve got to take some hard decisions to get the results further down the track,” he said.
“I’ve got no doubt we’ll win on Sunday. The way the team’s prepared. The way they’ve come together. I’ve got no doubt we’ll win on Sunday.
“But if we don’t, then sometimes you’ve got to do the work that allows you to be successful further down the track.
“I don’t know of any team that you can come in and blow magic over. You’ve got to go through a process and you’ve got to find out what’s wrong with the team. And then you’ve got to try to address those problems.
“I sit here very comfortably feeling like I’m doing the job I should be doing.
“Now, I know people are upset about it, and I understand that and I would be too if I was a fan because the results aren’t good enough, but sometimes there’s some pain before you get some success.”
Jones said he felt like his detractors could “smell blood” with the Wallabies, but added that these were the weeks coaches enjoyed.
“When you coach, you make a choice to put yourself in these positions,” Jones said.
“If I didn’t want to put myself in these positions, I could be teaching. I could have a nice life and get up every morning. The wife puts the packed lunch in the bag, put a shirt and tie on, know I’m going to teach six periods, come home, wash the dog, clean the car, watch Channel 7 or ABC news and then get the packed lunch ready for the next day. I could have done that mate. But I made a choice to coach.
“I love winning and I love it when you’ve got to try and create a team where everyone thinks they’re going to lose to put themselves in a position to win.
“I don’t know if it’s a drug but that’s the rush from coaching mate.
“You get more people when they smell blood. We’ve got 10 times more people here than we normally do for an Australian press conference because people smell blood. That makes it even more exciting.”
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.