Rugby World Cup 2023: Jones’ Wallabies take first step in right direction

It hasn’t been the prettiest start for Eddie Jones since he came back to the Wallabies, but the coach had the last laugh after being booed in Paris.

PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 09: Eddie Jones, Head Coach of Australia, looks on prior to the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Australia and Georgia at Stade de France on September 09, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Luckily for Eddie Jones, World Cups aren’t decided by popularity.

When his name was announced before Australia‘s confidence-boosting 35-15 win over Georgia at the Stade de France, large parts of the crowd jeered and whistled.

The only person who got a colder reception was the French president Emmanuel Macron when he spoke at the opening match between the host-nation and New Zealand.

For Jones, the roasting he copped was all water off a duck’s back.

Determined to get Australian rugby back to where it used to be, he’s been targeted by all the snowflakes who don't like his ruthless approach to trying to fix things.

“Obviously, I'm not popular,” he said after being quizzed about being booed. “At least it’s consistent.

“You either want to be popular or unpopular, and I'm consistently unpopular, so that’s all right. I can deal with that.”

Eddie Jones’ team picked up their first win since his return. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images

Jones did at least win back supporters after his team’s comfortable win over an underrated Georgian team that has claimed the scalps of Wales and Italy within the last 14 months.

It wasn’t close to a perfect performance from the Wallabies but the bonus-point victor was a giant stride in the right direction after five-straight losses in the build-up.

“World Cups are about taking each step. If we were to have planned the perfect World Cup preparation, we’d said at the end of round one we want to sit there with five points. Well, that’s what we’ve got,” Jones said.

“We've got a young team … and this was a great experience for those young players. Each game they get a little bit better and we’ll see the improvements as the tournament goes on.”

Jones’ eternal optimism hasn’t convinced everyone, partly because a lot of it is smoke and mirrors.

Given precious little time to rebuild a team that had forgotten how to win, Jones is not only trying to improve the way the team plays, he’s also having to keep his best moves up his sleeve for when they need them.

That means having to tread a delicate balance of winning without revealing too much. Against Georgia, the Wallabies flew out of the blocks, opening up a 21-3 lead inside the first half an hour with some spectacular plays, before dialling things down.

Will Skelton showed why he was a great choice as skipper. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“We've always been confident about where we’re going. I’ve got no doubt and I just see how hard the players work and the way they come out and the start of games,” Jones said.

“You don't come out at the start of games and play like that if you’re lacking confidence.

“But the one thing I know in a World Cup is that you want to get better week by week.

“We had the game not won, but in the position to win it at halftime, we didn't really allow them a chance to get in the game. So whilst the second half wasn’t our absolute best, there were parts of our first half where there was some really good stuff, and that’s part of our progression in the tournament.”

FIVE KEY AREAS THE WALLABIES HAVE SHOWN IMPROVEMENT IN

LEADERSHIP

A surprise choice as captain, Will Skelton has already proven himself the man for the moment. His salty rev up to his players after Tate McDermott left the field injured was manna from heaven to everyone who thinks the Wallabies could do with a bit more tight love.

TAKING THE POINTS

One of the biggest reasons for the Wallabies’ habit of losing close matches has been their stubborn refusal to take points when they are on offer. The bravado of always going for tries might be fine in NRL but the smart teams take their kicks in rugby. The Wallabies did that against Georgia.

DISCIPLINE

The only area the Wallabies topped the world rankings in during Dave Rennie’s disastrous stint as head coach was ill discipline. That’s all changed under the tough disciplinary style of Jones. Against Georgia, the Wallabies conceded just seven penalties, the first time since 2021 they’ve kept it to single figures.

FORWARD PACK

The biggest weapon the Wallabies might have at this World Cup is their big men upfront. If rugby’s old adage that forwards win matches and backs decide by how much holds true, then the Wallabies will take some beating because they have an awesome pack.

SHARPSHOOTERS

You can’t win a World Cup with a reliable goalkicker who can land shots under pressure. Jones’ decision to start Ben Donaldson at fullback and give the kicking duties was a masterstroke when he landed six from seven.

Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2023: Jones’ Wallabies take first step in right direction