Wallabies coach Eddie Jones says he remains committed to coaching Australia for the next World Cup cycle but admits Rugby Australia might decide to go a different route.
Jones also denied any contact with Japanese rugby in an interview with the Daily Mail during the Wallabies break this week and had some stinging words for senior players he opted not to pick for the campaign.
The team is hoping for a miracle this weekend – requiring Portugal to beat Fiji by eight or more points to give Australia a path through to the quarterfinals.
There has been intense speculation about Jones’ future, with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting he had an interview to coach Japan.
“I have signed a five-year contract,” said Jones.
“Like any job, coaches are in an employer-employee relationship, and we are in a game of winning. Whenever you’re not winning, the coach is vulnerable, so I am vulnerable. Does that cause extra noise? It probably does. There’s been this noise about Japan, but nothing has happened. So that’s just added a bit more noise to it.
“I came into this job with the approach that it was going to be a long-term job, but Rugby Australia could change. If there’s a change in the wind then things can happen, but my commitment was always long-term and there’s no reason why that won’t happen.”
Jones again defended his decision to pick younger players for the tournament – a move that hasn’t delivered results.
“I decided that we needed to make an abrupt change, because the status quo wasn’t going to be good enough,” said Jones.
“I decided to look at the next generation coming through. Sometimes, I look back and you do think whether that was the right thing to do or not. But in the end, I do think it was the right thing to do. The advantage with this squad is that it still has five or six years of growth in it.
“That will set Australia up well for the Lions series in 2025 and for the 2027 World Cup.”
He said the discarded players “take it in different ways. That’s always a World Cup issue; when you leave out established players. Some of those players will carry a grudge until the day they die and other players will let it go. It’s not something I can control. It doesn’t bother me.”
Jones also had a sobering assessment of the game in Australia.
“Australia now, in terms of rugby population and rugby significance, is a small country in the world. In the amateur and early professional era, we were a country well ahead of its spot, because we had professionalism in the game, because of close ties with rugby league and Aussie Rules,” he said.
“Now, we don’t have that advantage, so Australian rugby needs a reset. We are still running off an antiquated system, which was pre-professional. We need to change with the times.”
Jones also reflected on the treatment he’s received in stadia in France, where he’s been fiercely booed.
“I genuinely don’t worry about it. If that’s the way they want to carry on, then that’s fair enough,” said Jones.
“It’s not how I’m treated in the street. I don’t think I’ve had one person come up and jeer me in the street. Whatever people do at the ground… it’s a bit like social media isn’t it? Everyone is brave when they don’t have to show their face.
“Here, the crowds have definitely been different – they’ve had more of a football way about them. But it’s not to the extent that we’re having fights. If it reached the point that fans were fighting then that would be a sign that it’s going too far.”
Former star Justin Marshall claims the next All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has been shut out of the team’s World Cup games in case he’s too much of a distraction for the players.
Marshall, talking on South African TV, said: “Can I tell you something really interesting, Scott Robertson has been here in France. You would have seen him. He’s been floating around.
“He’s not allowed to be at All Blacks games. They feel he’s too big a distraction to the current players. All of a sudden they might want to chat to him or might want to impress him, so Ian Foster said to him…he’s not being allowed at All Blacks games.”
Robertson was spotted on camera during a Fiji game and NZ radio reports say he is now back at home.
The All Blacks host England and Fiji for tours in 2024.
Robertson will replace Ian Foster at the helm of the All Blacks after the World Cup and there is believed to be a high level of frostiness between the pair over how the succession plan was enacted, with Foster wanting to stay on.
Meanwhile, former All Blacks Jeff Wilson and John Kirwan have backed Foster’s controversial comments on the epic clash between South Africa and Ireland.
Foster suggested more people would have enjoyed his team’s 96-17 demolition of Italy than the battle between the heavyweights in Paris that ended in a 13-8 win to the Irish.
Kirwan described the Springboks as boring to watch.
“When people are doing a Mexican wave, they’re bored. I was bored during that game because it was stop-start. Now, the game needs to change. It’s an anaerobic game; we need to be an aerobic game,” Kirwan told The Breakdown.
“We need to get our numbers up. I’m pretty sure South Africa don’t want to play like that.
“Do you want your team to play like that? Maul, penalty kick, maul, scrum, slow it down. If that’s how you want to play, I’m cool with that, but I don’t want to see the game like that; otherwise, we will just have Mexican waves four times a game.
“World Rugby need to stop saying, ‘we need to see a game’, they need to make changes.”
Wilson said the World Cup was dominated by talk about the excellent atmosphere at the tournament, rather than less than thrilling action.
“South Africa play a certain style, England play a certain style of game. Obviously, the Wallabies, the All Blacks [play differently] – France are somewhere in the middle. Ireland like to hold onto the ball,” said Wilson.
“We’ve got variety, but in the end, we’re spending a lot of time talking about the atmosphere in and around the stadium and in the crowd.
“We’re spending more time talking about that rather than what’s happening on the field. Ultimately, when it comes down to it, defences are still winning in the big games.
“Defences are standing out; the set-piece is still the be-all and end-all. When push comes to shove, they (South Africa) went to the front eight (against Tonga) and just kept going.
“That’s how they win games and allows them to dominate in areas, but ultimately, as a fan you’re seeing more kicks, one-pass carries, and that’s a problem.
“I think this is on World Rugby. This is the flow-down effect. It’s the pinnacle of the game; this is the example being set around the world and, if you want people to grow up wanting to play the game, what is it they’re seeing? Who is it they enjoy watching?”
Northern hemisphere teams are poised to top the four groups for the first time in the tournament’s history.
England are guaranteed top spot in pool D, Wales need a win over Georgia to top pool C and France and Irealdn are favoured to top pools A and B.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s 15-month reign at the top of the rankings will continue if they to beat Scotland on Saturday.
Andy Farrell’s team have held top spot since July 2022 but they will slip out of second to be replaced by France if they lose and Les Bleus beat Italy.
There is a chance that Australia – already lanuguishing at an all-time low 10 could slip to 11th – if Japan and Italy both win.
Jean Kleyn, who played five Tests for Ireland before switching alleigences to South Africa, is expecting a hostile battle between his ex-outift and Scotland as they battle for a place in the quarterfinals.
“We’re probably going to see Ireland win, but just because the Irish beat us last week I’d say I’d like to see Scotland win over them,” Kleyn told media.
“No, realistically speaking, we’ll probably see Ireland come out victorious there. They’re a very good team at the moment.”
He said there was an intense rivalry between the sides.
“There’s a high level of attrition. There’s a little bit of animosity between the Irish and the Scots and there always has been, especially from a rugby perspective.
“At club level, you look at teams like Munster and Glasgow there’s always been this underlying – I wouldn’t call it hatred – but there’s a little bit of knife in the back.
“There’s a real combative thing about it. For Ireland and Scotland (tests), it’s even more so. It’s very much magnified at international level. Everything’s a little bit closer to the bone and everything’s a little bit more real. I think it’s going to be a serious match.”
Kleyn was asked if he would continue to show a calm demeanour during the game joked: “Oh hell no. No. It’s all a facade. It’s my media face.”
Springboks star Lukhanyo Am is in contention to play in the quarterfinals should they qualify for the last eight.
Am was called up to the defending champions’ squad on Monday, replacing injured winger Makazole Mapimpi, in time for the last-eight fixtures scheduled for October 14-15.
The Springboks do not play this weekend, with Ireland and Scotland meeting in Paris on Saturday which could end with the Springboks being eliminated.
For the champions to fail to reach the last eight, Scotland have to beat world number one side Ireland by a margin of 21 or more with both sides needing to claim a bonus point.
“He’ll (Am) be considered just as much as anyone else and we’ll base a lot of it on what happens in training and also consider what’s gone on in the games prior to this,” assistant coach Felix Jones told reporters.
“We’ll see how he rocks up and how he performs in training over the next two weeks,” he added.
Am made the last of his 35 Test appearances in August, when he suffered a knee injury and was left out of their squad for the World Cup.
“Luckily for us Lukhanyo is quite an experienced player and has been a part of the group for many years now,” Jones said.
“I think probably everyone will agree that when Lukhanyo is at his best he can slot into almost any team.
“Lukhanyo was actually involved in all of our alignment camps, all of our training sessions, up to the point of us pretty much leaving for the World Cup, or the week or two before.
“He’ll be fully up to speed with how things are going here,” he added.
Guess
Roar Rookie
Carry a grudge? :laughing: Bet they're happy they don't have to participate in that clown's clusterruck
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
Its also great for New Zealand players :happy:
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Thanks for that. Those kids I’m my day would probably get caned, leave school early and have a manual job. Razor thought he would have to stick in rugby because that’s all he knew. I think his wife made him think beyond what he thought he could do. Thus the degrees he has. I believe he and his wife run educational courses to help others- not totally clear on that. I think his psyche would have been great for Australian players.
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
Thnaks so much K. I am better informed and enlightened for your response, so while my misread was unfortunate, I am not sad about it, as I would still be less informed and more ignorant around the points you make. thanks again for sharing. It makes me wonder how much easier life can be made for disabilities such as dyslexia through advancement in technology and how as a result of that change, people will become more understanding and compassionate for those that think and approach challenges differently to ourselves. I grew a bit today.
Hoy
Roar Guru
He was, but he came after… what I was saying is that those great 7s who came before him influenced the change of interpretation on that law… It was not to stifle South Africa at all. Your siege mentality went too far on that one.
Skilly
Roar Rookie
Couldn't agree more!
Nico_J
Roar Rookie
But everyone agrees we need to do something about stoppages yeah? Of course it will be difficult to agree on how to do it. Can it be done? Don shoot the messenger, but in 10 years maybe scrums will be gone. Just a wild thought, but some new set piece idea as a trial.. lineout/scrum combo, well thought out and entertaining. Not like league or 7 scrums going through the motions Or we could see another code split But really.. The physically attritional style of play. What if parents start pulling their kids. It's happening already. in VIC it's always impeded code relations. imagine the kind of players we'd have if the kids played multiple codes from a young age
Nico_J
Roar Rookie
Lukyanyo Am and Kurtley Beale at his prime as a centre pairing for the Baba's would have been pretty special
Nico_J
Roar Rookie
Love Lukyanyo Am, golden hands. For me he's his own player, but there's a lot of Conrad Smith there too, can pick the ball off his boot laces at full clip and make the pass that wins test matches, and RWC cup v WB's 2019. And small moments of brilliance in the chaos that make all the dff. Boks v WB's early 2O23 (possible correction game sets here fellas). Boks have had 3 or so pick and goes, last one leaves a pile of belly up tired bodies on the line. Am literally just appears at dummy half as if from star trek transporter with maxed out warp factor like 11. in SLO MO replay, you see he quickly clocks ball position and the weak attacking posture of their ruck. THEN, he calmy looks up and through busy defense swarming that area who are now totally confused as to his intentions.. why's he looking at the dead ball line for fs!? (zen master in heat of battle stuff), he has them. Wrong hand flicks ball off ground, behind his back to 5/8 on his blind opposite shoulder, perfect ball, 5/8 realizes he needs to run onto it and is as confused as everyone else but runs in unopposed. Am was Sublime, he even faked a pick and go as he passed. His brain picked apart and executed multiple deceptive but synchronous strategies in 1 second what I would be lucky to do in a lifetime. if you remember this or come across it, well worth a few reviews and please correct or add to anything I've missed. The pass itself near impossible at range and perfect arc it was thrown during the game, and his wrong hand. A few blokes got it at rep trials but on good hand, reduced range (for sure some practiced) and controlled, practiced environment.
CheetahBok
Roar Rookie
You really should grow up! This is so last year ????
Locke
Roar Rookie
You're in the company of many JN. Foster and Kirwin have come to have far too much influence in NZ rugby when you consider both have proven themselves to be poor coaches at the elite level. Everyone should be concerned when the elite culture is one that rewards politick superficiality over analytical thinking ability. I'm a big believer that Foster's appointment and Kirwin's longevity point to a streak of arrogance and incompetence in NZ rugby that will derail any real success on the field.
USrugger
Roar Rookie
Best? Nah. One of them. I would imagine France, Ireland & NZ beg to differ...
USrugger
Roar Rookie
Forgive me, but Kirwan, Foster & crew are idiots. Really? They think the slaughter of Italy was a more enthralling game than IRE/SA?? What rock do they live under? Kirwan is an ex-winger so all he thinks about is running with the ball. Wilson? Ditto. Did Foster even play rugby? I'm pretty disappointed by these NZ 'scribes'. I honestly expect this whining drivel from the Poms, maybe even the Wallies. Disappointing. Maybe head games? Both South Africa & Ireland beat them with sheer intensity. One could probably say the same for France.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
They've always been good to watch, for sure
Jez North
Roar Rookie
When is Rassie releasing his next video? Am looking forward to his whacky theories on how World Rugby are out to get the Boks :laughing:
CheetahBok
Roar Rookie
Ah still sour about the spanking your English roses got in the last WC? You can kiss my posterior, right up the crack!
CheetahBok
Roar Rookie
Lol ???? fair point. I wouldn’t rank Brussow 5th, for sure he was a bettwr jackler than Burger!
Jake Heke
Roar Rookie
It wasn't intended as a dig, plenty of rugby fans want to see running rugby. Actually I would argue that the average fan would rather see running rugby with lots of tries than a low scoring kick fest. This is one of the reason why the All Blacks games are generally sellouts anywhere in the world.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
If you need a bite, I shall provide it despite this being pretty low rent - yep, loads of neutrals would have enjoyed Fiji beating Oz. None enjoyed England putting 60 on Chile or NZ 90 on Italy though. Which were floggings, as opposed to a win by 7 points, in the balance, however much undeserving, right to the end
Capt Sensible
Roar Rookie
No matter how bad it looks, Jones has to go. H has single-handedly turned the Wallabies into a standing joke.