The only way from here is up

Eddie Jones, Head Coach of Australia. Picture: Getty

Rugby fans who thought last week’s 22-15 loss to Fiji was rock bottom suffered a worse start to the working week on Monday watching Wales crush the Wallabies 40-6 in Lyons. For the first time, Australia is set to exit the World Cup in the group round, after reaching four of nine finals and winning two since the competition began in 1987.

Australia was outcoached and outplayed by Wales, and coach Eddie Jones, amid his abject apologies, is copping plenty of flak for the dismal showing and for reports he is eyeing a shift to Japan. Today’s 30-year-olds were just six when an Australian captain, John Eales, last hoisted the Cup in 1999. It’s 20 years since our last Bledisloe Cup victory.

The length of those gaps is part of the problem. Success breeds confidence and interest. And competition for youngsters to sign on is intense from rival codes rugby league, soccer and AFL. Union needs rebuilding from the base as well as at the top level. If we are not to become fixtures making up the numbers in the group round without progressing further, the only way from here is up.