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Eddie Jones’ departure has once again changed the status quo in Australian rugby. For the second straight Test season, every position is up for grabs.
The difference for Jones’ successor is they won’t be starting again like Dave Rennie did in 2020 – the start of the last four-year World Cup cycle.
While the start of a new World Cup cycle generally sees several figures farewelled and youth ushered through, Jones’ decision to rip the band-aid off and start again just in time for the recent World Cup means that process has already begun.
Indeed, where the All Blacks will start their rebuilding mission under Scott Robertson in 2024, with half-a-dozen household names calling time on their international career or heading overseas and therefore making themselves ineligible like Richie Mo’unga, whoever Jones’ successor turns to, most will already have caps under their belt.
Eddie Jones and Carter Gordon talk during a Wallabies training session. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
That could, in time, prove to be one of the few positives that come from what ultimately was a disastrous campaign where Jones drove the Wallabies bus off a cliff with his high-risk strategy.
Playmaker Carter Gordon won’t experience a bigger test than the one he faced over a 10-week period, where he led the Wallabies around against the All Blacks and France and then against Georgia and Fiji in front of packed houses. That experience could prove invaluable by the time the Wallabies play the British and Irish Lions in 2025 and home World Cup in 2027.
Of course, that assumes Jones picked the bulk of the squad that will be together for the years to come. Most will.
On the surface, with only a handful of players that went to France over 30, Jones’ successor will benefit from having a group to work with that has age on their time. Only James Slipper, Dave Porecki, Richie Arnold, Will Skelton and Nic White were over 30 by the time they left Australian shores.
Allan Alaalatoa, who missed the tournament because of injury, will of course return to the selection frame. He is certainly in the captaincy mix. Another bolter could yet emerge from the Brumbies.
Izack Rodda, should he get over his persistent foot issues, is another who could return and add experience, having been one of the stronger performers at the 2019 World Cup.
Others like outside-centre Len Ikitau, who was inexplicably looked past despite likely being fit for their World Cup opener after picking up a shoulder injury during The Rugby Championship, will surely return in 2024.
Ikiatu’s absence was barely explained by Jones, with the former Wallabies coach simply saying the classy Brumbies midfielder wasn’t fit at the point he selected the squad.
That didn’t quite wash, given Samu Kerevi and Max Jorgensen were also carrying injuries.
Len Ikitau was left out of the Wallabies’ World Cup squad in 2023 but will likely return next year. (Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Nonetheless, there remain several positions that are wide open heading into 2024, particularly the No.2, 6, 9, 10, 12 and 15 jerseys.
Super Rugby form will be paramount in shaping the selection piece.
With the Wallabies not due to play until July, Rugby Australia doesn’t have to appoint Jones’ successor overnight.
But RA should not drag out the coaching appointment for too long.
As Jones found out in 2023, without a competent coaching team, the detail goes missing.
It’s why firming up the next Wallabies coach sooner rather than later is essential.
With the Lions a little more than 18 months away from touring Australia, time is of the essence.
Hooker has several players vying for the role but no one of world-class status.
The configuration of the back-row will continue to intrigue, particularly at blindside flanker.
Extra height at the lineout will be weighed up alongside work-rate, physicality, rucks hit and ball-running ability.
Tom Hooper regularly filled the No.6 role when Fraser McReight was selected alongside him and is a player of immense potential, but he must improve his post-contact work and physicality.
He will likely face challenge from Rob Leota, whose potential is through the roof but his desire and robustness questioned, and Lachie Swinton.
Swinton struggled throughout Super Rugby, but found his feet on the end of year tour with Australia A and the Barbarians so much so that he was on standby to join Jones’ squad. Was it because of the fine-tuning under Laurie Fisher?
Lachlan Swinton has been in and out of the Wallabies since making his debut in 2020. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
The halves, naturally, will be up for fierce debate.
Tate McDermott’s desire and running threat is second to none, but his core skills are not yet international class. That’s a concern and something Les Kiss must address.
Ryan Lonergan will likely enter the picture next year, having been on the periphery over the past 24 months. His goal-kicking is one of the big feathers in his cap, particularly if Gordon is the preferred fly-half in 2024.
Gordon heads a talented group of playmakers, but that position remains wide open.
Brumbies fly-half Noah Lolesio – should he choose not to head overseas – has won Tests at international level and could reemerge as a strong Wallabies contender.
He must first win selection over Jack Debreczeni, who made a strong return in 2023 and is only 30.
Ben Donaldson has headed west to the Force but, at this stage, is being more considered at fullback. Reesjan Pasitoa is another to keep an eye out for, having missed the 2023 season because of an ACL injury.
Tane Edmed is the favourite to wear the No.10 jersey for the Waratahs, but has ground to make up.
As for the Reds, Tom Lynagh is in a fight to for the role with Junior Wallabies playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips. It’s a battle to keep an eye out for.
Carter Gordon remains the favourite to wear the No.10 jersey in 2024 despite a tough World Cup. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Inside centre is another position open.
Kerevi shouldn’t have a line put through his name, but now is the time to focus locally rather than internationally.
That will put Lalakai Foketi and Hunter Paisami firmly in the frame. Izaia Perese also had some fine touches in his sole appearance in France, while he wore the No.12 jersey for the Barbarians last weekend.
At fullback, Andrew Kellaway showed his class when he returned to the role in France and is the incumbent.
Jorgensen has the skill and head for international rugby but must first show his durability in 2024.
Tom Wright, having been shelved midway throughout The Rugby Championship, can also return to the selection picture now Jones has departed. But decision-making is his great work-on.
Predicted Wallabies 23 for first Test in 2024:
Wallabies (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Izack Rodda, Lachie Swinton, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, Carter Gordon, Jordan Petaia, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Andrew Kellaway.
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tom Hooper, Tate McDermott, Noah Lolesio, Tom Wright.
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.