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Why Eddie Jones could be the savior of Australian rugby, even if he FAILS to achieve World Cup success and Bledisloe in his second coming as Wallabies mentor
Even if he doesn’t win the Rugby World Cup in September or New Zealand lift another Bledisloe Cup this year, Eddie Jones can still be considered the savior of the sport in Australia.
The newly appointed second-time Wallabies coach has quickly reinvigorated the sport after he replaced Dave Rennie in January.
Proof of Jones’ magic touch was reflected in the crowd of over 25,000 at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Friday when the Waratahs hosted the Brumbies in their Super Rugby Pacific season opener.
In recent years, the competition has struggled to bring fans through the gate, but with Jones back in command for Australia, there is hope that the struggling code could once again become relevant on local shores.
Rennie was a bland character compared to Jones, who has already ruffled a few feathers in the NRL after declaring the likes of Cameron Murray and Ryan Papenhuyzen to be on his hit list of players.
Following his appointment in January, Eddie Jones has been a much-needed breath of fresh air for Rugby Australia.
Jones replaced Dave Rennie as the Wallabies’ coach; both are polar opposites in terms of personality.
And with Jones successfully taking on Lote Tuquri, Mat Rogers and Wendell Sailor ahead of the 2003 World Cup, history could easily repeat itself, leaving Peter V’Landys and company looking nervously over their shoulders.
Sydney Roosters young gun Joseph Suaalii also knows that if he defects to rugby, a contract worth at least $1.5m a season from RA will follow.
Not bad for a 19-year-old, who wouldn’t be earning half that amount in rugby league right now.
Jones, 63, has been the breath of fresh air Rugby Australia needed.
Tellingly, the Wallabies last won the Bledisloe Cup against the All Blacks in 2002, and the continued defeats have left rival codes rejoicing year after year.
Jones is also well aware that if Australia win the World Cup in France in September, a statue will follow.
Maybe even a street parade in your honor.
This week, Jones continued the hype, penning an open letter to the Australian rugby community.
Jones previously managed the Wallabies to the World Cup final in 2003, where they lost to England.
The message was clear: if everyone is on the same page, why not dare to dream?
“Australia have the talent to win the Rugby World Cup in Paris on October 29,” Jones wrote.
‘Right now, we don’t have the team, but we have the talent. “We also don’t have a clear path from where we started today to where we want to end up.
“Ultimately that path will be set by the Australian players and the choices they make between now and then.
“That path will be created by the standards that players set for themselves and their teammates.”
The inspirational words came from Jones perfectly, who, as always, wants players to take responsibility for acting.
If they don’t, the code will continue to slowly die in Australia.
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