Eddie Jones (Photo by Icon Sport)
In a press conference on Monday, Australian rugby coach Eddie Jones expressed confidence he can make the Wallabies a serious contender for the Rugby World Cup in France in 2023.
Australia coach Eddie Jones said on Monday he had enough time to make the Wallabies title contenders for the 2023 World Cup in France, thanks in part to the return of some key players. “We are aware of the gap that exists and the hard work it will take for the device and the players to close it.”He added that Australia are currently ranked world No. 7 after three disappointing years under Dave Rainey, who was replaced in January by Jones.
Jones, who previously served as England coach, will start on the bench for the Wallabies in the rugby championship against South Africa on July 8. He stressed the need to work hard to reach the top of the world rankings: “We are in seventh place, and we have to work to reach first place, because we want to be world number 1.”He said during a press conference at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where his team will face the All Blacks on July 29.
Jones cited the example of South Africa, world champions in 2019 in Japan when they finished seventh a year ago. Asked how little time is left before the Rugby Championships in July and the World Cup in September, Jones said: “(We have a lot of time. A lot of time. Like I said, you only need a week to change the team, so imagine what we can do in 10 weeks”. Although he completed his first training camp in April, Jones hopes several of his currently injured key players, such as flyhalf Quade Cooper, center Samu Kerevi, or second line Matt Phillips, will return very soon.
🗣️ “So in a short period of time, you can significantly change the team, you can significantly change the individual…and that’s the job.”
🇦🇺 Eddie Jones wants to lead Australia to the top of the world. https://t.co/5fVwheoOow
Planet Rugby May 1, 2023
