“Scary” Eddie Jones has the Wallabies on edge as players openly fear being banished from the 2023 Rugby World Cup under Australia’s ambitious new coach.
A shock replacement for the axed Dave Rennie less than a year out from the global showpiece in France, Jones is adamant Australia has the talent to bring back the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time since his then-Wallabies-coached outfit lost the 2003 final to England in extra time.
Jones, though, can only pick a 33-man squad and is offering no guarantees to anyone ahead of the new Super Rugby Pacific season starting on Friday night.
Even newly-crowned 2022 Australian Super Rugby player of the year Rob Valetini is fretting after only meeting Jones briefly for the first time.
“Quite scary. I’d heard he’s quite a tough man,” Valetini said after receiving his award on Thursday and recommitting to the Brumbies and Australian rugby for four more years.
“So we just chatted a little bit. Mostly about my family and what inspires me to play rugby.”
The powerhouse No.8 admitted he found Jones “less scary” in person.
“He’s been smiling a bit so that’s a good sign, I think, at the moment but we’ll have to see come Wallabies time, if I’m there when the squad’s named,” Valetini said.
Valetini featured in 12 of 14 Wallabies Tests in 2022 but the Brumbies star is rightfully anxious about retaining a spot as he competes with a raft of quality back-rowers including the resurgent Harry Wilson, Jed Holloway, Pete Samu, Fraser McReight and Rob Leota.
“Different coach, probably a different style of playing, I definitely think every spot is up for grabs this year and everybody gets a chance to push their case forward during Super Rugby,” Valetini said on the eve of the Brumbies’ season opener against the NSW Waratahs.
Waratahs captain Jake Gordon, up against Brumbies counterpart Nic White and Queensland’s Tate McDermott for the gold No.9 starting jumper, says the shock of Jones taking over from Rennie has been replaced by awe and excitement six-and-a-bit months out from the World Cup.
“Initially I was shocked. I really enjoyed Dave as a coach. A really good man, great coach, so I was disappointed initially,” Gordon said on Thursday.
“But then you’ve got to change (mindset) that pretty quickly. Eddie’s come in, he’s obviously got a great record. His resume really speaks for itself there.
“So it’s excitement now. I spoke to some of the boys who were in that Australia A program. They see an opportunity this year now, which is great for rugby.
“You’ll see more competitive spots across the board.
“So the inclusion of Eddie is exciting and I can’t wait for the season to start.
“What you’ve seen in other years, you have to perform at Super Rugby level. If you don’t play well, you won’t get picked. It’s pretty simple.”
