Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'Win a few games for us': Eddie Jones' witty review of Georgian Rugby

Eddie Jones, Head Coach of Australia, arrives prior to the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Australia and Georgia at Stade de France on September 09, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has, rather hilariously, called on Georgia to “win a few games for us” after Australia’s comfortable 35-15 win in their Rugby World Cup clash.

ADVERTISEMENT

An inexperienced Wallabies outfit took a step in the right direction on Saturday as they ended almost a year of hurt by winning Australia’s first Test since last November.

Fullback Ben Donaldson silenced some critics with a sensational performance at Stade de France, which included a double and near-perfect night off the goal-kicking tee.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

The Australian forwards were also impressive as they monstered Georgia at the set-piece. The Lelos are renowned for their dominance at the scrum, even though they’re not a tier-one nation.

But the likes of Taniela Tupou, Angus Bell and Will Skelton contributed to some sensational work by the Australian forwards, which allowed the backs to play with freedom and time.

“Well round one you want to be sitting with five points so I think we got five points,” Jones told reporters at Stade de France.

“That’s the first time I’ve been involved in a game against Georgia, or a training session against Georgia where their scrum their hasn’t dominated or looked like dominating.

ADVERTISEMENT

“That’s real credit to Neal Hatley and the front row, Taniela (Tupou) in his 50th cap and (Angus) Belly and (David) Porecki and obviously the rest of the pack for their scrum efficiency.

Points Flow Chart

Australia win +20
Time in lead
81
Mins in lead
0
100%
% Of Game In Lead
0%
43%
Possession Last 10 min
57%
0
Points Last 10 min
7

“Secondly, our attacking kicking was really good. It put Mark (Nawaqanitawase) in a number of situations where he really caused the opposition a lot of trouble.

“They’re two really key and promising areas for us.”

As a proud rugby nation, Georgia has made some noticeable strides in their development on the international scene. They made history with statement wins over Italy and Wales last year.

But the Lelos fell well short of what would’ve been a maiden win over the Wallabies. They showed glimpses of promise, but the result was never really in doubt.

ADVERTISEMENT

Coach Jones’ Wallabies recorded their first win of the year, and that result holds them in good stead ahead of some key pool matches.

As for Georgia, they may need to beat all three of Portugal, Fiji and then Wales if they are to qualify for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

“The strength of the team has changed, the balance of the team has changed,” Jones added.

“Your game has evolved because you’ve got some great young backs. Both the nine’s are good players and the fullback is something special; he’s got that curving, arching run and he doesn’t lose speed when he changes direction so he’s very hard to defend against.

Related

“It’s an evolution of Georgian Rugby. You always want to keep your strength there which is your scrum and then adding to it.

“Apologise I can’t pronounce the coach’s name but I think he’s doing a really good job, I think he’s doing a fantastic job for Georgian Rugby and I’m sure you’re going to have a good rest of the tournament.

“We want you to win every other game. We’ve got Georgian flags up at Saint-Etienne now. We’re barracking for you guys so make sure you win a few games for us.”

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

G
GrahamVF 43 minutes ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

"has SA actually EVER helped to develop another union to maturity like NZ has with Japan," yes - Argentina. You obviously don't know the history of Argentinian rugby. SA were touring there on long development tours in the 1950's

We continued the Junior Bok tours to the Argentine through to the early 70's

My coach at Grey High was Giepie Wentzel who toured Argentine as a fly half. He told me about how every Argentinian rugby club has pictures of Van Heerden and Danie Craven on prominent display. Yes we have developed a nation far more than NZ has done for Japan. And BTW Sa players were playing and coaching in Japan long before the Kiwis arrived. Fourie du Preez and many others were playing there 15 years ago.


"Isaac Van Heerden's reputation as an innovative coach had spread to Argentina, and he was invited to Buenos Aires to help the Pumas prepare for their first visit to South Africa in 1965.[1][2] Despite Argentina faring badly in this tour,[2] it was the start of a long and happy relationship between Van Heerden and the Pumas. Izak van Heerden took leave from his teaching post in Durban, relocated to Argentina, learnt fluent Spanish, and would revolutionise Argentine play in the late 1960s, laying the way open for great players such as Hugo Porta.[1][2] Van Heerden virtually invented the "tight loose" form of play, an area in which the Argentines would come to excel, and which would become a hallmark of their playing style. The Pumas repaid the initial debt, by beating the Junior Springboks at Ellis Park, and emerged as one of the better modern rugby nations, thanks largely to the talents of this Durban schoolmaster.[1]"


After the promise made by Junior Springbok manager JF Louw at the end of a 12-game tour to Argentina in 1959 – ‘I will do everything to ensure we invite you to tour our country’ – there were concerns about the strength of Argentinian rugby. South African Rugby Board president Danie Craven sent coach Izak van Heerden to help the Pumas prepare and they repaid the favour by beating the Junior Springboks at Ellis Park.

156 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’ under Razor Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’
Search