The first training camp in Australia was badly disrupted. Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has to deal with seven last-minute changes.
Eddie Jones’ tenure got off to a bad start. The Australia coach had to make seven last-minute changes ahead of his team’s first training camp (April 17-19) ahead of the World Cup (September 8-October 28). This Saturday, Ned Hannigan, Lin Iketao, David Borecki, Blake Shoup and Darcy Swain all suffered concussions during Super Rugby Pacific matches.
Future Bordeaux-Bègles player Pete Samou and Langi Gleeson are also unavailable, the former having injured his ankle while Gleeson has not yet fully recovered from a sprained calf. In the face of this carnage, Waratas players Lachlan Swinton, Isiah Perez and Brumbies players Rhys Van Neck and Rory Scott also joined the Australian group. Finally, Harry Wilson, Matt Weissler and Ryan Smith, his three Reds teammates, will be the Wallabies’ first campers.
Eddie Jones wants this first meeting to be a great opportunity for new recruits: “As we think about injured players, it provides an opportunity for those who will now come into camp. This camp will set the tone ahead of the Test season and we know we’ll need a quick start.”
