Taking over after one of the least successful international seasons in Wallabies history, new coach Eddie Jones has declared he’s “not the messiah” but has set the lofty goal of winning this year’s World Cup in France.
Jones, who coached the Wallabies to the World Cup final in 2003, which they lost to England, before being sacked in 2005 is back in charge following the axing of Dave Rennie after an underwhelming tenure.
The Wallabies won just five of 14 Tests in 2022 under Rennie, who was contracted until the end of the World Cup. But Rugby Australia officials moved quickly to snare Jones when he was moved on as coach of England.
Two days into the job after arriving from the UK, Jones said winning was the only way to revitalise rugby in Australia, and that started at the top.
He spoke about restoring “pride” after the Wallabies slipped to sixth on the world rankings, and winning the World Cup had to be the goal.
“What wins World Cups and the hearts of people are teams that play with spirit,” he said on Tuesday.
“We want pride back in Australian rugby. That’s the most important thing.
“We’ve got to win the World Cup. If we win, it changes things for rugby in Australia.
“There are about six teams that are separated by a cigarette paper. It’s so tight.
“We‘ve got a really talented group of young players and it’s my job to bond them into a team that every Australian’s proud of.
“While there’s plenty of work to do, I’ll be making sure we turn over every rock in order to bring success to Australian rugby.”
Jones comes with high expectations a second time around, having won the Six Nations three times with England and racking up 18-straight wins through his successful tenure, which included multiple wins over the Wallabies.
Despite his success with England, and RA’s pursuit of him before signing him to a five-year deal, Jones said it would be a whole-rugby effort, from players to administrators and even fans, to return the Wallabies to the top of the world.
Jones said it was his mission to strengthen Australian rugby.
“I’m not the messiah,” he said.
“Everyone is in this together, but sometimes you just need someone to beat the drum.”
New Zealander Rennie, who took over from Michael Cheika at the end of 2019, was fired after only five wins from 14 Tests last year.
Jones coached the Wallabies to the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney, a game they lost to England in extra time.
A renowned hard taskmaster, Jones was sacked by England in December last year.
