Saint-Etienne: As Australia’s dismal Rugby World Cup campaign splutters from one disaster to the next, there is little clarity about Eddie Jones’ future as Wallabies coach.
For months, Jones has sold Australian fans the dream of a complete rebuild and five-year plan leading into the 2027 World Cup.
Now, Jones is refusing to talk about anything beyond Sunday’s (Monday, 2.45am, AEDT) Portugal game, which should be a much-needed victory for the Wallabies.
Jones says his future will come down to Rugby Australia officials and whether they believe he is the right man moving forward.
Perhaps the most confronting sight in the wake of a heavy 40-6 defeat to Wales – Australia’s worst loss in World Cup history – was watching young footballers break down in tears on the pitch in Lyon. These promising players have done their absolute best, but some were probably thrown in the deep end too soon.
“It was like we woke up from a bad hangover,” 24-year-old Wallabies back-rower Fraser McReight said. “It was very tough. It was something we just couldn’t get out of our heads.”
Fraser McReight after Australia’s loss to Wales. Credit: AP
McReight epitomises the next generation of Australian rugby, who will likely be in a gold jersey far longer than Jones remains in charge of the Wallabies.
Of Australia’s 15 starting players to face Portugal, 13 are competing in their first World Cup. James Slipper and Marika Koroibete are the only survivors from the last tournament in 2019.
This is the youngest Wallabies World Cup squad in history, and they will have to live with the unwanted distinction of becoming the only Australian team to be bundled out of the pool stages, barring a mathematical miracle during the next week.
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McReight served a lengthy apprenticeship under Wallabies veteran Michael Hooper before Jones pulled the biggest selection shock of his World Cup squad by leaving out the Test centurion.
An excellent Super Rugby player with the Queensland Reds, McReight would be the first to admit he has struggled to translate that form to the international arena. He says the pain of such a woeful defeat to Wales will be a source of motivation moving forward.
Fellow back-rower Tom Hooper said he rang his brother this week and told him to get ready for some brutal training when he gets back to Australia, while prop Angus Bell won’t hang around in Europe, instead wanting to get back to the Waratahs as soon as possible for pre-season training. A former Junior Wallabies skipper, McReight has a bright future in Australia and knows now is not the time to wallow in self-pity.
“We all know what’s happened and why,” McReight said. “There is a core group here that will be involved in Australian rugby moving forward to the next World Cup. The big key lesson for us is being able to endure the pain but also learn from it. It has to be a motivational factor moving forward. It was a tough day in the sheds.
“We still have a chance this weekend, albeit quite small, but there is still hope there. We’ve definitely had some tough meetings this week, not necessarily player-led, but with Eddie and the staff involved as well. When they’ve pointed you at the chest, it’s hurtful as well.”
Eddie Jones with young back-rower Tom Hooper ahead of the Wallabies’ final pool match against Portugal.Credit: Getty
McReight has been touted as a future captain. Considering the Wallabies have had six captains this year – Hooper, Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Tate McDermott, Will Skelton and now Dave Porecki – who leads the side next year is anyone’s guess.
“I haven’t really spoken to Eddie about the leadership stuff,” McReight said. “We’ve got a great leadership group here. We like to think everyone in the group is a leader.”
It hasn’t all been doom and gloom in Wallabies camp this week. Despite broader conversations about the health of the game in Australia, players have been in decent spirits on the training paddock and in media commitments.
Another player in a similar position to McReight is Hooper, the country kid from Bathurst who made a name for himself at the Brumbies this year. He made his debut in South Africa in July and has also worn the No.7 jersey throughout the year.
“It took a couple of days to grieve on that,” Hooper said of the Wales loss. “Now, like the penguins from Madagascar, we come out smiling and wave at the boys and get on with the job and make sure that we put two good training days in, and we’re looking forward to Sunday.”
Jones has made significant changes to the nucleus of predecessor Dave Rennie’s team and there are many supporters who believe he must ride out the hard times.
Although Jones has denied the Herald’s report that he interviewed for the Japan coaching role next year, it would be a huge blow if the 63-year-old was not at the helm in 2024. He has blooded talent, believing it was the only necessary option for Australia to prosper in the long term.
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Many former Wallabies vehemently disagree and cannot believe just how badly things have got under Jones, whose only win this year has come against Georgia. RA will conduct an independent review after the tournament and players’ feedback will be sought.
Hooper was asked if the players would be shocked if Jones left for Japan.
“It’s an interesting question. I just think everyone is really happy Eddie is our coach at the moment,” Hooper said. “He’s had a hard task to take us forward. I’ve certainly gained a lot from being coached under him. Whoever the coach is going forward, as a young team, and as a playing group in Australia, everyone is going to put in for whoever has the job and if that’s Eddie, that would be just as good.
“He’s always cracking jokes with the guys and making sure spirits are high. He had some really encouraging words for us on the night after – and that will stay in house – but he’s a great mentor. You can see even from his media encounters, even from the way he coaches, he is always looking after us No.1, even to the point when he will sometimes fall on his sword for us.”
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