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Unless results in Pool C serve up some manner of miracle, it looks like the Wallabies will be exiting the 2023 Rugby World Cup during the pool stages.
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It’s an unthinkable mess for the two-time World Cup winners, whose consecutive defeats to Fiji and Wales have left a once rugby-mad nation reeling.
Not only did Eddie Jones’ Wallabies lose, they were relatively comfortably beaten by Fiji 22-15 and thrashed 40-6 last night in Lyon by a Welsh side that finished fifth in the Six Nations. It leaves the men in green and gold with just six points from three games, all but guaranteeing an ignominious pool stage exit for one of rugby union’s traditional superpowers.
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Critics of the Australian regime have been out in force, with legendary winger turned naysayer David Campese swooping in with an ‘I told you say’ Tweet right out the gate. “Rock bottom for Wallabies. I have been predicting this for years after seeing the lack of rugby IQ and skills in grassroots in Australia. Ive been warning “the powers that” be but nobody listens.”
Former flyhalf Bernhard Foley, who hadn’t tweeted in six months and who was effectively snubbed in favour of two rookie standoffs, wrote “It didn’t have to be like this!”
Former Aussie flyhalf Jonno Lance wrote: “The decisions made a few months ago and probably, most annoyingly, the arrogance after they were made and through the tournament are going to – hurt some young careers – send a bunch of 25 to 28-year-olds overseas who missed out.”
Former Samoa international Dan Leo suggested the Wallabies tour the island to toughen up ahead of the Lions in 2025. “Wallabies need to tour the Islands to toughen up for next year, especially with the British Lions touring.”
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RugbyPass columnist Andy Goode wrote: “Whoever sacked Dave Rennie and employed Eddie Jones at the Wallabies needs to walk and take Eddie with him!… Where are all the Eddie Jones fans now saying his World Cup record meant England should never have sacked him?! Masterstroke by Bill Sweeney to not put Eddie Jones on gardening leave when he got sacked from the England job! He’s gone on to make the Australians woeful and out at the group stages! Actually feel for the Australian players, they are operating in a toxic environment created by Eddie Jones and you can see it in their performances.”
Whoever sacked Dave Rennie and employed Eddie Jones at the @wallabies needs to walk and take Eddie with him!
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) September 24, 2023
Respected journalist Brett McKay wrote: “This has been a failure of planning, of selection, and of preparation, at every level. Feel for the Wallabies players. They’ve been sent out into battle with no weapons and not even basic tools. An absolute disaster solely of Jones & McLennan’s making.”
Renowned Aussie rugby thinker Laurie Fisher revealingly wrote in a reply to one post on Twitter, when asked if he get involved once more: “They didn’t want me before the World Cup I don’t see why they’d want me after.”
Welsh rugby writer Paul Williams wrote: “Wallabies are better than this. Horrible to watch them playing rugby of this standard. Heads have gone.”
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English journalist Mick Cleary posted: “Jesus How poor are Eddie Jones’ Australia? Or, how brilliant are Warren Gatland’s Wales?”
What now for Eddie Jones and Australia? With rumours of a job in Japan for Jones, it would seem the writing is on the wall for the sixty-three-year-old. Rugby Australia will surely be thinking it’s time to pull the plug on one of the most disastrous tenures in their history.
“once rugby-mad nation” ?? Emphasis on “once”. Now it’s AFL and NRL mad … hard to see how Australia could support 3 oval ball codes. Could any country??
Nz rugby needs to extend the invite to Australian rugby teams to join their NPC completion - urgently. Both countries need a strong Wallabies team!