Inside coach Eddie Jones’ exceptionally detailed approached to fix Wallabies
Ahead of Eddie Jones’ first game back in charge of the Wallabies since 2005, Nic White explains how the meticulous planner has overhauled the Australian set-up.
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Meticulous planner Eddie Jones has brought in referees to oversee every Wallabies training session as they prepare to end a 60-year drought at South Africa’s graveyard, Pretoria.
The Wallabies are 0-7 at Loftus Versfeld since playing their first Test there in 1963, and new coach Jones is ensuring that needless penalties won’t help the home side continue their winning streak next week.
The Wallabies were plagued by ill-discipline throughout last year, winning just five of 14 Tests that ultimately resulted in coach Dave Rennie being sacked and replaced by Jones.
Wallabies halfback Nic White revealed Jones has addressed discipline as a priority.
“We’ve had a referee in with us for every session, which has been a huge help, staying on top of that,” White said.
“Talking a lot about those penalties [in 2022], I feel like a lot of them were through good intentions, [it’s] just understanding that under pressure there’s a feel to want to do something to win back that momentum, just understanding that teams are going to have momentum against us.
“And what we can’t do is give them free shots at us through discipline. Talking about it, training it, having a referee at training to be on top of those things, we’re certainly well on top of that and know where we are there.
“It’s an area that we feel like we can fix pretty quickly.”
Australia and world champions South Africa will be refereed by Kiwi Ben O’Keeffe, who prefers quick ruck speed and targets players not rolling away.
White said Jones’ decision to bring in refs was just part of an overall, exceptionally detailed approach, in what will be his first match back in charge of the Wallabies since 2005.
“He doesn’t let anyone, on the field or off the field, just float by, he’s on you,” White said.
“If you’re cruising through a moment, he’ll pick it up pretty quickly.
“He is on to it, he also talks about the ability to switch off, but when we switch on there’s an expectation you’re in that moment right there and then.
“He’s very good. I wouldn’t change one thing, he’s a true character and a guy we’re all learning a lot from, but at the end of the day it’s going to come down to the blokes on the field that are going to make the difference.
“Everything is about a winning mindset, and it’s infectious. We’re in a good place at the moment.”
But with the Boks’ imposing record in Pretoria — including the 61-22 humiliation in 1997 — Australia will be major underdogs.
“For us it’s a hell of a challenge right, to go over there and do what hasn’t been done,” White said.
“We’ve been working hard, we understand there’s a huge challenge over there for us, a place that will be quite hostile, I think it’s sold out, it will be a place that’s fun to play, and we know they’ll lift.
“They’re the games you want to be a part of. It’s pretty special to win in a place you’re not expected to win, and where you haven’t won before. There’s a hell of an opportunity there.”
Boosting Australia’s chances are the injury-forced withdrawals of three of the Boks’ most influential players; skipper Siya Kolisi, playmaker Handre Pollard, and lineout general Eben Etzebeth, all who were crucial to their 2019 World Cup win.
“They’re world-class players, but they’re going to have guys that come and they always do, that will lift and take those opportunities,” White said.
“Obviously they’re three world class players that they will miss, Siya being at the front for quite a while now as their captain, Pollard’s been playing some really good footy for those that have been watching Leicester.
“They’ve certainly got an identity around the way play, South Africa. The guys that will come in will and know exactly what’s expected of them.”
The Wallabies fly to South Africa on Friday, and will face their rivals in the first match of The Rugby Championship on Saturday week.
WALLABIES RECORD IN PRETORIA
July 13, 1963: Springboks 14 Wallabies 3
August 23, 1997: Springboks 61 Wallabies 22
July 28, 2001: Springboks 20 Wallabies 15
July 30, 2005: Springboks 22 Wallabies 16
August 28, 2010: Springboks 44 Wallabies 31
September 29, 2012: Springboks 31 Wallabies 8
October 1, 2016: Springboks 18 Wallabies 10
Originally published as Inside coach Eddie Jones’ exceptionally detailed approached to fix Wallabies
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