Eddie Jones unique: England World Cup reunion could be a ‘bit of fun’
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ddie Jones expects to pick from Australia’s full abroad participant energy for the Rugby World Cup, in a major increase to the Wallabies’ powers.
Jones revealed his confidence that rule amendments can be ushered by in time for him to pick the overseas-based gamers he desires for the autumn’s world battle in France.
Toulouse’s uncapped lock Richie Arnold represents essentially the most vital beneficiary, with the 32-year-old inked in for choice alongside La Rochelle powerhouse Will Skelton.
That heavyweight duo will add critical ballast to Australia’s scrum and tight play, as Jones seems to whip the Wallabies into World Cup form in subsequent to no time. The 63-year-old is aware of full properly {that a} quarter-final showdown with former employers England could possibly be looming in France.
With an inflow of potent and skilled expertise on the playing cards, no surprise Jones manufacturers that potential last-eight assembly as “a bit of fun”, with a trademark glint in his eye.
Toulouse lock Richie Arnold could be an enormous beneficiary of Australia altering choice guidelines
/ AFP by way of Getty Images“The Wallabies had a law called the Giteau law where you could only have three players outside Australia with 30 caps,” Jones instructed the Evening Standard Rugby Podcast.
“We haven’t tabled that with the board yet, but I’m sure we’re going to get a positive response on getting more players. Because we’ve got Skelton, who’s probably the best right-sided lock in the world, Richie Arnold at Toulouse, who’s a fantastic player in the Top 14.
“Quade Cooper, [Samu] Kerevi, [Marika] Koroibete – we can’t snub that sort of talent. I think Australians are always better when they are underdogs, when everyone thinks they haven’t got a sniff of it. They can come in under the radar.
“There are seven teams right at the top of world rugby, it’s never been this close. Whilst Ireland and France have been dominant, I don’t think there’s any team that doesn’t think they can beat those two.
“Whereas at previous World Cups New Zealand have been miles ahead of everyone else and clear favourites, this World Cup will be different. For selection, having been to a few World Cups, we try to pick the top 15, in any country they are pretty easy to pick.
“Then we’ll pick the bottom five, and the bottom five will be about character, guys who want to train hard, who are good around the team, got a bit of life about them, positive characters.
“You can’t have your third hooker or your third fly-half kicking stones, they are the ones who cause problems, so you need them to be good characters.”
Jones is aware of he can not fixate on a potential conflict with England, having led the Red Rose males to the 2019 World Cup ultimate. The taskmaster boss was sacked in December after England’s worst set of calendar yr outcomes since 2008, with simply 5 wins in 12 Tests.
Jones prevented a non-compete clause in his Twickenham exit, teeing up a return to educate Australia for the second time, having led the Wallabies to the 2003 World Cup ultimate.
“I think back to 2007 – I got sacked by Australia in 2005 and I went to the World Cup in France with South Africa,” mentioned Jones. “We went to watch England against Australia in the quarter-finals in Marseille, and I was sitting with Jake White having a few cold beers.
“Before the game some Aussie blokes were giving me a bit of rubbish – and after the game (that England won) they weren’t too smart! You do see these episodes and fixtures repeated in the World Cup. So it could happen, and if it does, it will be a bit of fun mate.”
Jones’ Wallabies have 5 Tests earlier than their World Cup marketing campaign kicks off in September, however the veteran boss stays relaxed concerning the tight turnaround.
The Premiership has been diminished… it wants a aggressive construction with promotion and relegation
“I’d never really thought about coaching Australia again, so it’s a real bonus,” mentioned Jones. “We’ve got five Test matches which is plenty. Bob Dwyer used to say ‘if you can’t change a team in a week you can’t coach’, so we’ll give it a go!”
While Jones will focus proper in on Australia’s World Cup tilt, he urged English chiefs to undertake a radical overhaul of the membership recreation. Jones led the Barbarians to 48-42 Twickenham victory over Steve Hansen’s World XV on Sunday, and being again in London had him fearing for the English recreation.
London Irish may go the identical manner as Wasps and Worcester to change into the third Premiership membership to hit the wall, and all in the identical season.
“In reality the Premiership’s never recovered from Saracens being relegated,” mentioned Jones. “And taking promotion and relegation out of the league has diminished the competition too.
“Look at the Premier League at the weekend, everyone’s following it. It’s drama, and fantastic sport. It’s part of the English sporting culture and I think it needs a competitive structure with promotion and relegation.”