'AFL and NRL can't compete': Eddie Jones takes aim at rival codes
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has taken aim to rival codes Australian Rules Football and rugby league in the first episode of his podcast, which was released on Friday.
Rugby Australia made the staggering decision last month to axe Dave Rennie eight months out from this year’s World Cup in France, and confirmed that Jones was his replacement.
The stunning decision dominated headlines around the rugby world for quite some time, as Jones looks to guide the Wallabies to World Cup glory later this year.
Jones, who coached the Wallabies to a World Cup final in 2003, is looking to make lasting change upon his return to Australian shores.
The 63-year-old has the potential to breathe new life into the sport Down Under, as the Wallabies look to inspire a resurgence for the passion of rugby union.
On the first episode of Eddie, Jones spoke about the global advantage that rugby union has over more traditional sports in Australia.
“AFL and NRL are highly successful domestic sports, but the opportunity there is for young kids to play rugby, be involved in the game, coach or play overseas is remarkable,” Jones said.
“The breadth and the richness of the experience you can have through rugby, AFL and NRL can’t compete with that. They can compete in terms of the domestic market very well, but certainly not in terms of the global market.
“To get kids to see that opportunity, the Wallabies have got to be successful because kids need role models, and those role models have got to come from the Australian side playing well.
“We are different, and maybe we’ve been a little bit detached from the community and that’s one of the things we’ve got to look at.”
But Australian rugby can only return to its former glory if the Wallabies become a winning team once again.
The Wallabies are coming off a tough international season last year, there’s no hiding from that.
Australia won five of their 14 matches in 2022, which included an incredible comeback win over Wales in Cardiff.
Clearly, something needs to change – enter Eddie Jones.
As Jones looks to lead the Wallabies’ charge at this year’s World Cup in France, he spoke about how he wants his team to play the “Australian way.”
“I’ve lived overseas for a long time now, since 2007, and the thing that always strikes me about Australian sport… we’re always at our best when we’re aggressive,” he added.
“By aggression I mean that we’re taking the game to the opposition. In rugby that can be carrying the ball or kicking the ball with purpose, defensively getting off the line.
“Australians want to see their national teams play like that, that’s what they enjoy watching, and I want to make sure we’ve got a clear intent of playing Australian rugby.
“Tactically there are variations of that, I’m not talking about a certain running the ball from everywhere, I’m talking about the intent of how we want to play.
“We’ve certainly got good players in Australia to do that.
“To have success, particularly in a smaller sport and we are a small sport, you’ve got to create movement, and the movement comes from the top with the national team.
“We’ve got to do our bit, we’ve got to play an Australian way, we’ve got to get people wanting to watch us play, we’ve gotta get kids excited about wanting to watch their heroes.
“There’s got to be the community doing their bit in driving rugby and everyone makes a difference, one person in the world makes a difference.
“If we’ve got everyone around who loves rugby, or has an affection for rugby, do their bit a bit more, the game will start to get moving again.”
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Hard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
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