Just to get the unpleasantness out of the way. Eddie Jones is a snake.
The players and fans didn’t deserve to be treated the way Eddie treated them. I was one who forked out squillions to go watch the Wallabies at the World Cup.
During the Australia vs Fiji game, the crowd of mostly French people were booing Eddie. I turned around and said, “Why are you booing him?” the Frenchman behind me shrugged his shoulders and said, “I don’t know, because it’s fun.”
At the time I thought it rude but now I will be doing exactly the same, but I will have a better reason than the French did. Also, Hamish McLennan tied himself to Eddie and deserved to go down too. Although he did get Australian Rugby through a tough time he had a massive ego, just like Eddie. Seeing them both riding into the sunset making every excuse was sad. Good luck in Japan, Eddie and don’t come back, mate!
Over the past few years being a rugby union fan in Australia has meant constantly discovering new rock bottoms: the game almost going back to being amateur during the pandemic; historic losses against nations we used to beat by 50 points and a lack of any decent exposure that isn’t Murdoch sticking the boot in like a whining child. I always thought that maybe the upswing will come soon, but it never has. Now, though, I believe we may be on the cusp.
This latest saga has exposed the root of Australia’s issues more than ever before, and although I do fear that the self-appointed old boys club that runs that game may make the same bloody stupid mistakes as they have in the past, I am also hopeful that this is the darkest moment before the dawn. So, in an attempt look on the bright side, here is what I see as the opportunities for Australian rugby moving forward.
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
A New Era
With the France debacle behind us and a new head of Rugby Australia, the appointment of Peter Horne as the new director of high performance and new national coach impending, it is a chance to take a breath and reset. They say that it is darkest before dawn and hopefully from 2024 we can begin to see the crack of golden light appear on the horizon.
With new coaches of the Wallabies and Wallaroos there is a chance to change up selections and tactics. This is a journey that must be undertaken.
For all of Eddie’s flaws, I could see that he was at least willing to back young talent. This train of thought must continue, I have always believed that we have enough talent coming through our pathways, however, they need good coaches, clear tactics and a clear identity.
The latter, for me at least, is the biggest one. Having a clear identity informs your style of play and empowers players. This is the key to powerhouses South Africa, with their power approach, New Zealand with their counter attack game, Ireland with their structure and France with their flair. In the past, Australia have been at their best when playing fast-paced and smart rugby, playing with well-thought-out instinct.
The push for centralisation is also key to making the most of the ‘golden decade’. While the details of this are still ongoing and we have the standard state vs state and state vs national barbs there is at least a shared understanding that centralising performance and contract management is a must have, without all states and territories giving up full control.
Exciting Talent
I do not buy for one second that Australia doesn’t have the talent to challenge the top nations in the world. Sure, we don’t have the depth of other nations, but we definitely have the talent.
Just take a look at Maddison Levi in the sevens, an absolute world beater. Sure, we need to build our internal pathways, get back to basics with community and school engagement and strengthen our coaching skills but we also have to recognise where we are. We don’t have the resources of other nations, are in one of the most competitive sports markets in the world and are we are basically starting from scratch, but the willingness and passion within the Australian rugby community is second to none, its just need a chance to shine.
Maddison Levi of Australia runs with the ball to score a try against Brazil during the HSBC SVNS rugby tournament on December 2, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Martin Dokoupil/Getty Images)
To develop our talent, I used to believe the Giteau Law was necessary. It seems logical, ensures our best players are playing in front of Australian crowds while putting them all into a shared system to drive a common result.
However, we just don’t have the resources to fully develop all of these players or provide them with contracts. We need to follow the South African model by scrapping the Giteau Law. This will result in more players going overseas for bigger dollars, however, this allows Australian players to stay in rugby union, continue to develop their skills and ultimately provide greater opportunities for others to stay in the code.
Nearly every Australian player that has gone overseas has come back a more complete player, why not use other countries resources to develop our talent? It worked for South Africa, they just won back-to-back World Cups.
The World Cup gave experience to a suite of our young talent. They were thrown into the deep end and now we get to find out if they will be better for this. As long as it is used as a mental springboard by the new coach, we can be all the better for it.
In 2024 there will be low expectations of the team with such change, this will hopefully remove some of the pressure on their young shoulders and allow them to grow into their roles. Small and consistent gains will be the theme of the next four years. If our players can get better every game, I think we have a true shot at our home World Cup.
Not only do we have exciting player talent, but I can see the green shoots in our coaching stock as well. Coaches like Darren Coleman, Mick Byrne, Les Kiss, Simon Cron, Tim Walsh, Emilee Barton and Stephen Larkham are all developing strongly and get better with each year of experience.
What Rugby Australia really need to focus on though is the development of community coaches, especially as we hopefully move to a more centralised model. Upskilling coached at the grass root has a direct long-term impact on player skills and development. It is critical that not only our young playing talent is nurtured but also our coaching talent.
A target to aim for
With a Lions Tour in 2025, a men’s World Cup in 2027 and a women’s World Cup in 2029 the tag line of a ‘golden decade’ is completely accurate. This has allowed Rugby Australia to forecast revenue and get and leverage $80 million in debt to ensure the long-term viability of the code. This also gives our administration, players and coaches a clear target to aim for. A common goal and in-built urgency to turn over every stone for the good of Australian Rugby.
I am hopeful that all of Australia can get behind the Wallabies and Wallaroos over the next decade, showing the value of the game to new fans and giving new heroes to youngsters across our great country. So, with all of the unpleasantness now behind us lets all put away our swords and remember that this is the game they paly in heaven. Which is where we will be once we have won the Tom Richards Cup, Webb Ellis Cup and the women’s Rugby World Cup, right?
Uncle Fester
Roar Rookie
Yeah Paddy, shame Maddison isn't a man. But in this day and age you never know!!
Jack
Roar Rookie
Young talent needs to have record of delivering. 3 or 4 good games does not deserve a Wallaby jersey. We’ve picked you young players on spec over the last few years who have had barely 2 wins iver a Kiwi side in their career. Many have never had a winning season. Jorgensen was a classic case this year. 3 or 4 good games and 3/4 of a season in first class Rugby. Donaldson, Fines-Leleiwasa, Gleeson have not shown consistent form for a whole season. They did not earn their test starts. Eddie’s selections were about vanity; showing everyone he was the smartest man in the room. He decided that players the best performed team in Australia has nothing to do with the Brumbies consistent form. It seemed he punished the players because McKellor said no and Laurie criticised his defence strategy. Just pick players who show consistent form, who deliver on the paddock. Please not more Hail Mary selections.
Peter Taylor
Roar Pro
Spot on PaddyBoy
PaddyBoy
Roar Rookie
A great read, Peter. I agree on too many points here to go over them all but firstly, love the shoutout to Maddison Levi. Agree so much regarding the dearth of up and coming talent. Absolutely loved the SRA u19s. Great series, and I'm hoping they can formalise a comp that runs parallel to SRP. Whether Eddie left a foundation to build on is in the eye of the beholder. I have never witnessed a sporting landscape so heaped with opportunities that have been treated as threats and strengths that have been treated as weaknesses. Here's hoping the incoming mob see the potential and realise it!
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Only so many overseas spots available ....South Africas experience was that despite having Gitau Law type restrictions it did not stop players from leaving ..By scrapping those restrictions at least that talent is now available for National selection. Ironically since then more top players seem to be returning home than leaving .. ..Seems like after spending a few seasons in dull Europe its not all that attractive after all. And Japan is a great cultural experience but after a few seasons and making some money that wears off and home apparantly still where the heart is .
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Yeah as Tony Harper recently posted .The headline belongs to the editorial staff or something along those lines ..So I do get that …I spoke about the next coach reversing the damage ..Whoever it is I would advise him to look at the Bok set up and what Irish International and Munster stalwart Jean Kleyn described as the healthiest work environment he has ever experienced in his career….The next coach is going to almost certainly not favour all Eddies picks and will have to be completely open and honest with the players without closing the door or disillusioning anyone…No backroom or closed door discussions or dealings ..Let them know however painful exactly how he sees things .. Start building even restoring trust ( foundations ) ..Then he needs the press on his side …..They can help a lot more than people realise in terms of taking the heat off but also be candid and honest …You don’t always have to like the questions but be respectful in answering them anyway…They too have a job to do. Im actually quite Bullish about the Wallabies for 2024 ..Just do the simple things right and that takes you a long ways forward ..Some very good players in that set up ..As Boks proved they dont have to individually be the Worlds best ..Team and Country first ..No egos permitted ( that includes the Head Coach..) ..All good ..It wins trophies ..
Another Wallabies Tragic
Roar Rookie
My hunch is that RA fears that scrapping of Giteau's law will sound the death knell of Super Rugby as Australia's best test players chase the big cheques overseas. I suspect our friends over at New Zealand Rugby fear the same as well.
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
Haha, auto typing came up with a spelling mistake on my post TLN and I tried to fix it. But that made it worse, so in the end I canned my original post and re-posted. But the legacy of the first attempt remains.
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
I think its about coaching and selection now. More importantly it's about having the right game plan for the team you have. Forget the style or the "Australian Way", play too your strengths with what you have.
Peter Taylor
Roar Pro
Yeah lets hope its enough, I think its about coaching and selection now. I think really the first few years under Rennie the men's were showing genuine growth and culture. Shame it all went to crap under Jones. Its going to be an interesting 2 years before the Lions tour because if we don't improve quickly we will get obliterated.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Concise like normal Colvin!
The Late News
Roar Rookie
The so called "golden decade" is entering its 4th year in a couple of weeks. The women's teams are tracking well, the men's...well it's more sand than gold. With 5 Super Rugby Pacific teams each with squads of 30 plus that means we have a minimum of 150 professional spots up for grabs. That's ten XVs. Surely that is enough?
Cec
Roar Rookie
Agree with Joe. I’ve been calling for him since Eddie left. One, he’s level headed and no nonsense (not like the games Eddie played or Chieka’s antics). Two, his work with IRE and moving to an aligned model. With the young guys and scarring, I worry there looking at some reactions straight after Wales. Not good. Some will be okay but some we may never see again; who knows only time will tell but a guy like Joe can be the tonic for the mess Eddie left behind.
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
Can't get any worse. I'm optimistic about the future - especially now the wall to wall Brumbies strangle-hold on the Wallabies is over, hopefully forever. I'm hoping 2024 Super rugby will reveal a genuine 9/10 combination that works; I'm hoping we've given up box kicks forever and that coaches come up with alternatives for beating an entrenched defence. I'm hoping we see set plays return and that we start playing with smarts again - not just three forwards waiting to get belted in a static pod midfield, or worse, watching as the ruck gets pilfered because they've been told to stand in the pod instead of guaranteeing we retain possession. I'm hoping the Reds power to a Super Rugby Championship and provide the vital spine of the Wallabies with Axillaries from the other States selected on merit.
Peter Taylor
Roar Pro
For sure, hopefully Aus Rugby can develop a super rugby competition with meaning. I always remember the pandemic with just an Australian super rugby comp. Although it was limited from a marketing perspective it is a much easier sell for Australia as its all in our time zone and an Australian team wins every time. Not saying that this is the way to go but Super Rugby just doesn't have much of an appeal to a wider Aus market with most Australian teams getting towelled up all the time. That crowd in the 2021 Super Rugby AU final should give Australia confidence that if Super Rugby all falls over then maybe an all Aus path could be viable.
Peter Taylor
Roar Pro
For sure, we definitely went too young in the World Cup. I mean not having the likes of Hooper there to guide them through the tough moments was a total failure. Hope the young blokes can be better for it and hasn't left scars. Will be interesting to see what coach Aus rugby choses moving forward as this will be critical. For mine Joe Schmidt is the best on the market and someone who has come into a national team and turned things around the right way.
Peter Taylor
Roar Pro
Thanks mate, just for context though the editor changed the title of my article from "Have we hit rock bottom? Where to form here for Australian Rugby". Not sure why as I definitely don't think Eddie laid any good foundations. Eddie tried to claim as much when he left but we all know its BS. He never wanted to stick around with the Wallabies and took us all for a ride. Just after he took the job he was on a podcast and let slip the real truth that he wasn't going to coach after the world cup then walked it back. I think that Japan had let him know that they would be going for a new coach after the world cup and he needed a job to fill the gap, took all of Aus Rugby for a ride then move on to his real target. A real piece of work he is.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Thanks PT, nice read and agree with everything but one. Eddie hasn’t laid any platform worth following or keeping in fact he’s shown us what not to do. Picking young talent on a promise has been the WB demise for decades. Too young and too unproven as we too often look for the new shiny toy. Looking at our TRC counterparts they go about it completely differently with selections. It’s about being far more measured at picking young guys at test level slowly and using the seasoned veterans first and foremost to play winning test rugby when it matters most. So no more CGs, Donnos, Jorgos etc as first selections, but by all means have them in the mix or AUS A but first they need to actually win something at SRAU level over a few years first; like perhaps leading their SRAU team to first place in AUS conference would be more meaningful than “he looks good or I reckon he’s better than…”. Wins at SRAU against your counterparts are thus indisputable.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
A fantastic article …(But if I can be a bit cynical)….Some naivety too..Eddie from my perspective left zero foundations to build on ..For the next coach his first task will be to reverse the damage …Bring back a core of experience and build proper foundations using , not abusing available resources . Build confidence in young players rather than destroying it …..Eddies contribution wasn’t building foundations..It was if I may venture …him attempting to build his own legacy…..Remember he has yet to turn silver into gold as a coach..( a play on his own words by the way )..Playing crap shoot with The Wallabies but having seeing the dice werent falling went looking for another casino ..An option his players didnt have … That he in the process precipitated a crisis leading to massive change in Aus Rugby was a side effect of incompetence . Not by design …If you disagree fine but the England Rugby Board obviously saw it my way too.
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
“remember that this is the game they play in heaven. Which is where we will be once we have won the Tom Richards Cup, Webb Ellis Cup and the women’s Rugby World Cup, right?” Don’t forget the Bledisloe, Peter :stoked: