Australian Playing Stocks Admit Eddie Jones Appointments Would “Hurt”Them
Wallabies stars Angus Bell and Lalakai Foketi recently expressed their feelings about the potential appointment of Eddie Jones as Japan’s next coach, admitting that it would “hurt”. After a rare training block, the cream of Australia’s playing stocks returned ahead of the festive block. Unfortunately, the lingering pain from the Wallabies’ World Cup in 2023, stands as a reminder of what went wrong.
The Wallabies’ car crash of a tournament came amid reports Jones had met and interviewed for the soon-to-be-vacant Japanese head coaching job. Although Jones distanced himself from the reports throughout the World Cup, players and coaches were left to pick up the pieces.
It’s still early days for the squad with a pending decision for the new head coach and the need to make the Waratahs first and the Wallabies follow suit. The disappointment of the World Cup is still raw, and players are eager for a chance of redemption, which won’t come any time soon, as the players remain to pick up the mess.
Australian Rugby Chief Executive Phil Waugh says the coach could be an Australian or a foreigner, revealing that Rugby Australia embraces an open mind. Foketi admitted that they were in the business world, hoping that Australian Rugby went to its rightful place and saying that RA’s follow-up moves will be important for the future with reports hinting at a new captain being appointed soon.
It is an exciting and challenging time for Australian rugby with the need for change looming as the country hopes for a brighter future.