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Alan Jones AO is one of Australia’s most prominent and influential broadcasters. He is a former successful radio figure and coach of the Australian National Rugby Union team, the Wallabies. He has also been a Rugby League coach and administrator, with senior roles in the Australian Sports Commission, the Institute of Sport and the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust. Alan Jones is a former Senior Advisor and Speechwriter to the former Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser.

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Rugby Union

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 09: Ben Donaldson of Australia celebrates with Carter Gordon of Australia after scoring his team's fourth try during 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)

Alan Jones: Crucial change that can turn Wallabies into contenders

Australia’s opening win against Georgia showed the Wallabies aren’t likely to trouble the Rugby World Cup heavyweights. A key selection call could change that, writes ALAN JONES.

Alan Jones

ExclusiveRugby Union

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 09: Eddie Jones, Head Coach of Australia, during the warm up 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 Warren Little/Getty Images)

Alan Jones: Why Wallabies coach must be Aussie, just not Eddie

A foreigner like Dave Rennie must never coach the Wallabies again, writes ALAN JONES, but of all the Aussies they could have chosen going back to Eddie Jones is hubris.

Alan Jones

Rugby UnionRugby Union

OITA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 23: Taniela Tupou of Australia scores a try during the rugby international test between Japan and Australia at Showa Denko Dome on October 23, 2021 in Oita, Japan. (Photo by Kenta Harada/Getty Images)

How Wallabies can rescue tour with a win

When playing at this level, you must let the past stay in the past and be excited and challenged by the future.

Alan Jones

Rugby UnionRugby Union

TEDDINGTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Nic White passes the ball during an Australia Rugby Training Session ahead of their International Match against England. At The Lensbury on November 09, 2021 in Teddington, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Wallabies can learn from 1984

Great players don’t need to be told how to play; they just need to be encouraged to work together and play what is in front of them.

Alan Jones

Rugby UnionRugby Union

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 02: Quade Cooper of the Wallabies looks on after winning The Rugby Championship match between the Argentina Pumas and the Australian Wallabies at Cbus Super Stadium on October 02, 2021 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Rugby Australia must call out Japanese clubs for spoiling Wallabies tour

Are we really meant to believe that the Japanese clubs have not pressured Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Sean McMahon into pulling out of the Wallabies’ spring tour?

Alan Jones

Rugby Union

Japan a threat both on and off the field

The change in Japanese rugby that presents a threat to Australian Super Rugby teams.

Alan Jones

Rugby Union

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 02: Rob Valetini shakes hands with Jordan Petaia of the Wallabies after winning The Rugby Championship match between the Argentina Pumas and the Australian Wallabies at Cbus Super Stadium on October 02, 2021 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

‘Bomb squad’ can keep Wallabies on track

How the seasoned performers in the Wallabies can steer the team through tricky times and avoid the ‘success disease”.

Alan Jones

Rugby UnionRugby Union

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 02: Quade Cooper of the Wallabies charges forward during The Rugby Championship match between the Argentina Pumas and the Australian Wallabies at Cbus Super Stadium on October 02, 2021 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

A world-class team needs a top-shelf administration

Inspired selections have put the Wallabies on track to be world class, but off the field it’s a different story.

Alan Jones

RUGBY UNIONRugby Union

Australian rugby player Kurtley Beale reacts as he poses on the red carpet for a photocall upon his arrival prior to the draw for the 2023 Rugby Union World Cup, in Paris, on December 14, 2020. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Next step for Wallabies, bring back Beale

I’m hopeful Rennie can find places for both Quade Cooper and James O’Connor right through to the World Cup and give Kurtley Beale a call.

Alan Jones

RUGBY UNIONRugby Union

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 18: Quade Cooper of the Wallabies collects the ball during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South Africa Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Our biggest enemy is complacency

The Wallabies’ biggest challenge this weekend in Townsville, as they take on Argentina, will be complacency.

Alan Jones

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/alan-jones