Axed Wallabies champion says Eddie Jones will be ‘feeling the pinch’ as he enters Rugby World Cup with just one win from last 14 matches

Wallabies legend Michael Hooper has no doubt Eddie Jones will feel the heat as Australia chase a much-needed win over Georgia in their Rugby World Cup opener in Paris.

It has been well documented how the Wallabies are winless in five Tests since Jones took over from Dave Rennie in January.

What is less heralded is how Jones has now presided over 13 defeats from his past 14 Tests during his two tenures as Wallabies coach.

Australia lost eight of nine Tests in 2005 before Jones was sacked, then revived his international coaching career in successful spells with South Africa, Japan and England.

He helped Jake White take the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2007, coached Japan to a famous first win over South Africa in the 2015 global showpiece and guided England to the 2019 final.

But despite all the fuss surrounding Jones’ second coming as Wallabies coach, the honeymoon is now well and truly over.

Hooper is not kicking his negligence but said Jones would be under pressure to get results from his young squad

The 63-year-old has arrived in France for the 2023 edition under immense pressure to revive the Wallabies’ flagging fortunes.

“I don’t think anyone is immune to pressure so I think Eddie will feel the pressure,” Hooper told Nine radio ahead of the Australian Cup opener on Sunday morning (AEST).

‘This match, to start a World Cup campaign, is really important to get some momentum.

‘So a good performance here in playing the Wallaby style of rugby that they want to play is vital and for Eddie it’s just the opportunity to come in on Monday and talk really positively about some of the performances that took place over the weekend.’

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The only man to ever win the John Eales Medal four times as player of the year for the Wallabies, Hooper – along with veteran playmaker Quade Cooper – was one of the two most notable omissions from Australia’s 34-man World Cup squad .

But the champions flanker set the record straight on speculation that he only found out through a phone call from the team manager, and not from Jones.

The 2019 World Cup captain and 125 Test stalwart insists he has spoken to Jones and remains convinced he would have been picked had he not had an ongoing calf injury.

The opening ceremony before the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between France and New Zealand at Stade de France

Jones has picked the most inexperienced Wallabies team since 2003, losing all five of their World Cup build-up matches

Hooper (right) ready to step into the breach if injuries occur during the Rugby World Cup in Paris

Hooper also claims he will answer any SOS calls from the Wallabies during the tournament while in France as a television commentator.

‘These things happen quite quickly. You have to choose a team, there are injuries, you try to find the right balance. There are a lot of things that go into it,” the 31-year-old said of his non-selection.

‘I got a phone call just like everyone else. I was treated the same as everyone else – and as it should be. Like everyone else, I found out through a phone call.

“The call came pretty close to the time when you have to pack your bags and leave for two months, but like I said, it was the same for everyone.”

If there is no World Cup call-up, Hooper suspects his professional career in 15-a-side rugby is likely over.

‘I’m just about fit to go when I get a call from France. I’m ready to go,” he said.

“So my only regret would be that I wasn’t ready when that call came through, and I’m kind of there now, or I’m there.

‘If I talk about my fifteen-year career, I would say that a curtain is starting to hang over it. I’m not going abroad at the moment, and certainly not next year.

‘Sevens is a real opportunity and the chance to go to the Olympics is there.’

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