SAINT-ETIENNE, France (AP) — Rugby Australia has doubled down on backing coach Eddie Jones whereas the Wallabies are getting ready to lacking the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals for the primary time.
CEO Phil Waugh additionally criticized Jones for partly excusing their outcomes as preparation for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which Australia will stage.
“We’re dedicated to Eddie within the dedication we made to him earlier within the 12 months,” Waugh mentioned after Australia accomplished the pool stage by beating Portugal 34-14 on Sunday.
“I’ve been fairly forthright across the reality we’re dedicated to Eddie and he in all probability seems on the marketing campaign and is bitterly disillusioned about his efficiency and the Wallabies’ efficiency. It’s a fairly difficult world being a coach and I can perceive that.”
Jones was contracted to the top of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
He was criticized earlier than coming to France after choosing a younger squad — 25 of the 33-man squad have been going to their first Rugby World Cup — and carrying injured gamers however not veterans equivalent to Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper.
He insisted the Wallabies may win the Rugby World Cup even after shedding to Fiji for the primary time in 69 years. However then they misplaced to Wales 40-6, their heaviest defeat in Rugby World Cup historical past and worst loss to Wales.
On the eve of the Wales sport, Australia media reported Jones interviewed for his outdated Japan coach job which is able to change into vacant after the event. Jones denied the stories and Waugh mentioned on the time he took Jones by his phrase, and reiterated that.
“Eddie has made his feedback to me that he’s dedicated (to Australia),” Waugh mentioned. “I’m not going to seek out out the place conversations are occurring. I take Eddie for his phrase and he has advised us there’s nothing to it.”
The Wallabies’ quarterfinal hopes are hanging by a slim thread. Fiji will knock them out on Sunday in the event that they beat Portugal, or take one level no less than. The Wallabies have to remain in France, no less than till they know the end result on Sunday night time.
Dave Rennie, the Wallabies coach for 3 years, was fired in January with a 38% profitable document in order that Rugby Australia may rehire Jones, who was dismissed by England in December. The union hoped Jones may engineer considered one of his fast turnarounds in time for the Rugby World Cup.
However he’s gained solely two of 9 checks this 12 months, beating Georgia and Portugal on the Rugby World Cup, and shedding to Fiji and each tier one crew he’s met.
“I believe choice is one thing that’s all the time debatable and hindsight is an excellent factor,” Waugh mentioned. “The performances actually weren’t at a degree they wanted to be whenever you come to a World Cup.
“We’ll make an evaluation of the marketing campaign however our intent is to proceed on the trail we’re on. This isn’t about chopping and altering coaches.
“There’s rather a lot that has in all probability been declining with Australian rugby for a while, so I believe it’s a results of a interval the place we’re slipping increasingly more. This marketing campaign is an efficient instance of the decline.”
Jones has mentioned he intentionally picked a younger squad as a result of he wished to rebuild in France slightly than after the event, however Waugh mentioned he didn’t wish to hear about 2027 within the 2023 event.
“I believe you come to a World Cup trying to win, you don’t go trying to win the 2027 World Cup whenever you’re going to the 2023 World Cup,” Waugh mentioned.
“Lots of people spent some huge cash to return over right here and help the Wallabies and so they got here right here hoping to win the World Cup and that was actually our expectation or our dedication.
“I’d a lot desire to speak concerning the disappointment of not performing to the place we’d like slightly than the reasons that we’re constructing for 2027, as a result of I simply don’t assume that washes and that’s not adequate.
“I believe it’s been no lack of want and dedication from the Wallabies. It’s simply we haven’t been adequate.”
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