Eddie Jones faces awkward reunion with Michael Hooper when former Australia boss take charge of Barbarians squad featuring a host of Wallabies stars
- Eddie Jones officially confirmed his departure from Australia on Sunday
- The 63-year-old has quickly returned as coach at the Barbarians
- He coaches the Barbarians with new All Blacks boss Scott Robertson
Eddie Jones may have officially confirmed his departure from Australia, but he will reunite with a host of former Wallabies stars at the Barbarians in Cardiff this week.
Ex-England head coach Jones officially quit his role in the southern hemisphere on Sunday, less than 12 months into a five-year contract. He is now expected to rejoin Japan in the coming months.
As the fallout from Jones’ move from Australia continues, the 63-year-old has immediately returned to coaching action as the Barbarians face Wales on Saturday.
Jones coaches rugby’s most historic side alongside incoming New Zealand boss Scott Robertson, while former England and Wales centers Jamie Roberts and Will Greenwood work as his assistants. The Barbarians squad is dominated by big Australians, including Michael Hooper.
Jones brutally dropped Hooper from his squad following a disastrous World Cup campaign.
Eddie Jones will reunite with a host of former Wallabies stars at the Barbarians in Cardiff
Former Australia Jones brutally dropped Michael Hooper from his World Cup squad
Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Andrew Kellaway and Ben Donaldson were all part of the Australian side that flopped at the tournament in France but will team up with Jones this week.
Australia’s Class of 2023 became the first in their country’s history not to qualify for the World Cup pool stages.
Former Wales captains Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric are also in Jones’ Barbarians squad and will play against their native country at the Principality Stadium.
The match is intended to pay tribute to Jones – the most capped player in the world – in his final match before his retirement.
Both he and Tipuric have called time on their Test rugby careers this summer.
Eddie Jones has been heavily criticized for his comments after confirming he is leaving Australia. “Sometimes you have to eat shit before others eat caviar,” he said.
He controversially dropped former Wallaby captain Hooper for the World Cup because he felt Australia needed to put the past behind them and that the flanker lacked a winning mentality.
The pair’s reunion in the Welsh capital will be awkward, to say the least.
Fijian pair Simione Kuruvoli and Ilaisa Droasese and Argentine fly-half Nicolas Sanchez are other players who played in the World Cup quarter-finals for the Barbarians.
The Barbarians squad looks strong on paper.
They will face a youthful Wales team led by captain Jac Morgan. Leigh Halfpenny will play his final match of Test rugby for Warren Gatland’s side.
The match at the home of Welsh rugby has proved controversial as it clashes with two of the country’s domestic sides in the Scarlets’ clash with Cardiff in Llanelli on Saturday.
The Wales and Barbarians match – which is uncapped – will be the last chance for Welsh fans to see Jones and Halfpenny in action at international level.
Tipuric continues to play for the Ospreys and Halfpenny – who is currently without a domestic contract – has said he will announce his next club soon.
Tickets for Wales vs Barbarians can be purchased from: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/principalitystadium/EDP/Event/Index/1333