Eddie Jones, the coach of the Wallabies, expected challenges when he returned to the job, but when he got knocked out of the World Cup early was not something he dreamt of. With all his experience in past tournaments, a surprising loss to Fiji in a group-stage match has disrupted his entire plans.
Jones was thinking the Wallabies would have an easier path to the quarter-finals, which would have given them an advantage over strong teams. However, things did not go as planned, with South Africa facing a tough match against Ireland and New Zealand losing to France in their group.
Instead, the Wallabies have an important match against Wales to stay in the tournament. Eddie Jones, their coach, faced a lot of bad criticism for his choices, like not using their longtime captain, Michael Hooper, and experienced player Quade Cooper. He decided to go with a young team, making them the youngest squad in the World Cup.
Mr Jones told AAP he did not expect an easy road but felt he had made the changes necessary for sustained success. Jones, who is an ambassador for the Asahi Games, said, “I have always thought it would be difficult.” “I watch Australian rugby no matter how far I am, and the situation is only getting worse.
He replaced Test coach Dave Rennie, who was sacked in January. The Wallabies said: “You always hope that if you keep going like this (snap your fingers), things will change, but you have to work really hard to change that.” I know it won’t happen,” he said. We will accelerate preparations for France.
Being on the Run is What We Have Always Done
“We were basically on the run the whole time,” Jones said. “We are literally at the beginning of a cycle. That cycle typically lasts three or four years, but we’re literally trying to get there in five months, so we’re moving everything forward.”
Jones took responsibility for the defeat against Fiji, saying he was responsible for the bold selection of players and game plan that allowed the Pacific Islanders to outwit them. His master plan to attack behind a horde of monsters was foiled by injuries to giant striker Will Skelton and powerhouse Taniela Tupou.
But lock Richie Arnold said this was unfair, and the players needed to take responsibility or face missing out on the playoffs for the first time. “It is up to the players,” Arnold said.
“We have to look at each individual game carefully and look at our game because I think, in the end, it’s up to the players.” “He (Jones) prepares us as best as possible, but it is up to us to do the job.”
Fiji’s loss marks the start of Jones’ replacement as Warren Gatto, who replaces Jones as the most successful manager in World Cup history. This meant that Rand would take office. The Welsh coach picked up his 16th tournament win following his victory over Portugal.
At the 2019 World Cup in Japan, the Wallabies, coached by Michael Cheika, lost 29-25 to Wales in their group game, but Gatland has led the team to two games since reaching the same stage in 2011. He led them to their second semi-final.
Australia lost to England, led by Jones, in the quarter-finals. Like Jones, Gatland is in his second season as an international player, and the Wallabies manager said he would see changes since the New Zealander took over again last December.
He believed that Wales would be a formidable opponent in Lyon. “I think they’ve gone back to the traditional Welsh style of play,” Jones said. “A lot of the play is coming from (Dan) Biggar, the defense has improved, the lineup has improved, there have been some pretty big changes since Warren took over.
“They are going to be a tough team to beat.”
