The Wallabies’ 2023 World Cup campaign might have been a disaster on and off the field, but emerging tight-head prop Zane Nonggorr believes Eddie Jones’ “dedication” to helping the playing group improve will eventually pay dividends.
Jones not only picked the youngest Wallabies squad to go to the World Cup since the game turned professional, but it was the youngest squad at last year’s tournament with an average age of 25.8 and 20 caps.
That inexperience ultimately played out on the field, with the Wallabies failing to progress out of the pool stage for the first time in their history.
Zane Nonggorr believes Eddie Jones’ desire to see his players improve will pay off. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
But it wasn’t just the youthfulness that was shown up, with Jones’ desire to rip up the playbook and do away with structure whilst having an inexperienced coaching team to implement the “plans” exposed brutally.
Indeed, axed Wallaby Quade Cooper said “we didn’t really have a plan” under Jones while experienced halfback Nic White called it an “experiment”.
“There were glimpses of it [working] but after playing it a fair few times, we started to figure out it was not quite working. We were in the process of fixing it, but it was all too little, too late,” White told The Roar.
But one thing that can’t be denied is the Wallabies worked hard under Jones.
Nonggorr, who was handed a surprise Test debut by Jones, said the main thing that stood out under the veteran coach was his desire to see the team improve.
“The one-on-ones me and Schouppy [rookie loose-head prop Blake Schoupp] would do where Eddie would bring us over after training and we’d just have to go at each other,” Nonggorr said.
“The environment that we were in was about how much you’re willing to put in and learn to get better.
“I’m really close with Schouppy, but he’s screaming at you to try and go harder. It was all about getting better. I guess, his dedication to get us better [stood out].”
Props Zane Nonggorr and Angus Bell run alongside former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones during the 2023 World Cup campaign at Stade Roger Baudras on September 02, 2023 in Saint-Etienne. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Nonggorr, who said he would “definitely be tuning into” Stan’s documentary into the 2023 World Cup campaign that premieres next month, said he was considerably further along in his development after last year’s experience inside the Wallabies set up.
“I think I’m leaps and bounds ahead of where I was this time last year,” Nonggorr said.
“Just because training in that environment in France with that calibre of player – Slips [James Slipper], Angus Bell, training around Nella [Taniela Tupou] obviously – being able to train with those boys and also around the field, playing against the Wallabies players, the quicker players, just training at that higher level, it made me take my training to that level.
“Coming back to pre-season and having Jeff [Toomaga-Allen] and Alex [Hodgman] around, improving my scrum, pre-season has been very tough, so I’m just trying to keep that level all the way throughout pre-season and hopefully it’ll translate into games and I’ll have a good season.”
With massive shoulders and tree-trunk legs, Nonggorr has the physique and level-head to develop into something special.
It’s why investment into tight-head props is essential, with South Africa’s Frans Malherbe, Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong and France’s Uini Antonio at the top of their game in their early thirties.
The arrival of All Blacks props Alex Hodgman and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen have been welcomed by Queensland’s next generation of front-rowers. Photo: Queensland Rugby
Helping the development of Nonggorr, as well as fellow rising talent Massimo De Lutiis, are former All Blacks props Toomaga-Allen and Hodgman, who were two of Les Kiss’ first recruitments when he signed on to replace Brad Thorn.
“The experience they’re bringing in is invaluable,” Nonggorr said.
“Just the standards that they drive, how they challenge us young props and also the older ones in the team. They’re really driving the standards to compete in every session and every scrum; everything you do they’re ensuring our standards are really high around the breakdown, lineout lifts, scrumming.
“It’s great for them to share those experiences.”
Having returned to the Reds fresh and ready for 2024, Nonggorr said the frustration of not performing at last year’s World Cup had motivated him for more.
“It was a dream come true to play for the Wallabies and play in a World Cup, but I don’t want it to just be a one-time thing,” he said.
“Hopefully I can play the best I can in Super Rugby and help the Reds go well, and hopefully that’ll be enough to see me get picked again in the squad.
“It’s definitely given me more motivation because it was just a dream come true.”
The Reds kick-start their Super Rugby preparations on Saturday, as they host the Western Force at Ballymore.
Skippy89
Roar Rookie
What a side to play in was randwick 87-91… a team of wallabies essentially. Tim Kava, warwick waugh, david knox, tony daly, mckenzie, poidevan, cheika, they had lloyd walker, aquila (i think was his name) on the wing…. I use to love watching them play shute shield. Different era and great times.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Fair comment. He certainly had an advantage over other players being at Randwick because of their dominance and as you say it was always a matter of time before someone came along and demanded selection. I was mainly responding to the comments that he was vastly over rated, which I don't agree with. I wonder how much longer "Get Eddie" week lasts.
Rolando
Roar Rookie
TT, AB and AAA almost world class. The rest including Slips wouldn’t be in the top 20 props world-wide. After that there’s no one near good enough to take on the best. You’ll remember that most Roarers were obsessing over who should be number 9 and 10. I felt that we had no chance going into the RWC with the six front rowers we took. Was obviously not a priority. Im really encouraged to hear Nonggorr and others express ambition. Let’s hope RA can oversee a great high performance programme for props.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Eloff a good shout. He’ll be back to loose based on the squad.
Skippy89
Roar Rookie
If i recall McBain and Lawnton were at the top until end of 89. With nuicofra behind them in Qld. In NSW you had Ej in NSW side with close competition from players like Kevin O Kane and David Basha and Kearns was up and coming. You also had Mark Bell coming through and he hit his straps in 91/92. After lions series in 89, Dwyer wanted changes and Kearns came into Wallabies in 90. Leapfrogging EJ as he was a lot bigger and a more mobile version of Lawnton and McBain (who were not exactly slow for their size). EJ was a long way off Wallaby selection. He was a handy Wararahs hooker, and Randwick won 5 straight GFs between 87-91 I think… so Im sure he earned his nsw spot but he got overtaken fairly quickly as a batch of hookers came through and before that… there wasnt a lot of competition for him in the Sydney comp in late80s and he was fast/mobile. Once Kearns appeared he was always on the way out.
MO
Roar Rookie
Tom Robertson will be back in the picture at loose head soon too. Next year?
MO
Roar Rookie
I reckon they should’ve gone Sam t but otherwise Ollie Hoskins would’ve done. Big heart great strength and nearly almost test level. Nongorr is a kid who doesn’t quite have the tools to fight the adults. One day he’ll leap forward. Not meaning disrespect to the kid they made him cry in a SR game when he was in over his head. No doubt passion not weakness but still you want an angry hard nut in there.
MO
Roar Rookie
He’s a good size and temperament.
MO
Roar Rookie
He’ll be fine. More experience will get him there. At LHP it’s not that hard to bend your knees get low and fire that arm out to bind on their shorts. You just have to bridge. Think pink cabous may want to put his hat in the ring now too. Boks don’t need him.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
I understand completely. But when you have Rodriguez publishing a book, that I haven’t read but believe from reports (jeznez?) that it is worth the read, Crapper, Higginbotham and McIssac working in Brisbane schools, there must be plenty interstate as well. The answer is to centralise the knowledge, an RA responsibility, then get it out to all community coaches through the internet, print material and, most importantly, get those who are known and capable of getting the message across, and not all can do that, out amongst the clubs and schools.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I’ve been saying that for a while as well. Hopefully he and Tupou are fit to face each other this season. Has been about three years since we’ve had a chance to see if he’s improved. He handles the bigger guys like Malherbe and Atonio well. Dominates Ala’alatoa. Need to see him vs Nela.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Excellent pick and go off the ruck, good work rate. Bell makes him look better than he is at TH. When Belly’s not there then HJH noticeably struggles at scrum time. Wondering if he’ll still be first choice TH this year with Ross and Thompson-Stringer joining. Thompson-Stringer historically a LH but has been playing TH in trials.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I really hope so. I thought he was our next 50 test hooker when he broke through
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I don't recall that much controversy about him being the NSW hooker. You would have to harbour hopes from there. Most of the other comments here are exaggerations. Certainly was an irritating pain in the arse, but not so sure about some of the other allegations. There was a change in the guard coming and Dwyer accelerated it, possibly only because he was close enough to Randwick to understand the relative merits.
savant
Roar Rookie
They have to be able to pass on knowledge though and not just talk about themselves and how great they were. Not all of them can do that. Link has been a great loss. He has the knowledge, the experience, and can teach. But is sadly lost to the game forever.
Bearswanatah
Roar Rookie
What about HJH? I rate him, but many don’t.. close to the line especially… scrums ok, but at 27-30+ should be peaking.
MO
Roar Rookie
Cron recently got his dad Mike to force training. That’s positive
MO
Roar Rookie
Bell is far and away our LHP scrummager with improvement in him. Nick points out correctly of course that it’s the shorter tightheads where he’s challenged
Bearswanatah
Roar Rookie
Valid comments - it’s sad that many of us thought the same way at the time, Blind Freddy, blind-folded, in a heavy mist, at night time could have seen it coming, On another note, I raise a glass to front rowers around the world and salute the fatties as rugby is about you. Long live the fatties!
MO
Roar Rookie
Kaitu is still around I think and cron should help him