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Why Aussie scribe is 'quietly confident' Jones will return to Wallabies

Eddie Jones file photo

The Rugby Football Union made a bold call earlier this week by axing super coach Eddie Jones nine months out from the World Cup, but England’s loss might end up being Australia’s gain.

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England didn’t have a great year in 2022 under Eddie Jones – there’s no hiding from that – but Jones has already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest minds to have ever graced the international game.

Jones etched his name into rugby folklore almost eight years ago when he led Japan to a famous upset win over South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

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The 62-year-old has also been to World Cup finals with both Australia and England.

While Jones is certainly one of the greatest World Cup coaches in rugby history, clearly the RFU had had enough after an underwhelming campaign – which included just one win in November.

But if recent reports are to be believed, and the opinions of one of Australia’s top rugby journalists as well, then Jones could be set for a return to Australian shores.

As reported by The Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday, Rugby Australia is interested in speaking with Jones who is now a free agent, although Dave Rennie will still be the head coach.

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Speaking on Weekend Sport with Jason Pine, journalist Tom Decent explained why he “would be betting” on Jones returning to the Wallabies “at some point.”

“Whether it’s next year or at some point, I would be betting on that at some point. I think there’s a reasonable chance he would do that,” Decent said.

“He’s been linked with the USA, we know that they are keen for him to come on board… so that’s something that he’s definitely exploring.

“But we all know that Eddie at heart is an Australia, he loves Australian rugby. It would have to be on his terms and there would have to be a lot of things to go right for it to happen.

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“But I would be quietly confident that at some point he’ll be back in Australian rugby in some capacity, whether that’s coach, technical director, not quite sure.”

The wounded Wallabies are in somewhat of a crisis of their own at the moment as well.

While Australia showed plenty of fight and potential during an injury-ravaged international campaign, the men in gold failed to win as many games as they would’ve liked.

And ultimately, rugby is a results drive business.

After starting their season with a win over Jones’ England, the Wallabies lost six of their next eight Test matches before flying to Europe.

Australia managed to win their opening Test in a thriller against Scotland, before losing their next three matches by three points or less – including a first ever loss to Italy.

But it’s understood that Rennie will continued to coach the Wallabies through to at least the World Cup.

“All indications are that he will. The Eddie Jones news has thrown a little bit of a spanner in the works in terms of Eddie just literally being a free agent as of right now,” Decent added.

“I would say almost certainly. Barring an absolutely big twist in the next few months, and someone being available and ready, I think they’re getting a little bit of the benefit of the doubt.

“Very hard to get a read on this Wallabies team but very, very confident that he’ll be the guy at the World Cup barring something in the next few weeks. We’ll see though.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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