First-day nerves as Wallabies finally meet Eddie Jones
Wallabies hopeful Ryan Lonergan says there will be some angst as he and his teammates attempt to ensure their first training camp under new coach Eddie Jones won’t be their last.
A 33-man squad has assembled on the Gold Coast for the three-day camp, which kicked off on Monday.
It marks the first camp since Jones was appointed on a five-year deal in January.
A sizeable chunk of the squad entered the camp having never met Jones in person, and it ensured for some nervous meet-and-greets.
“There’s a bit of angst, we don’t really know what to expect,” Lonergan told reporters on Monday before Jones had met up with the players.
“You can be as ready as you can, but we don’t really know what’s coming [during the camp].
“It is quite nerve-wracking. You’ve got to try to get the right first impression there.”
The camp marks the beginning of a big seven months for the Wallabies, which Jones hopes will culminate in World Cup glory in France later this year.
Good to be back on the grass 🦘#Wallabies @etoro_official pic.twitter.com/irNAFluGgJ
— Wallabies (@wallabies) April 17, 2023
Jones had to make a series of late changes to the 33-man squad for the camp after Ned Hanigan, Len Ikitau, David Porecki, Blake Schoupp and Darcy Swain were all ruled out due to concussions suffered over the weekend.
Back row forwards Pete Samu (ankle) and Langi Gleeson (calf) were also unavailable.
Overseas-based stars Richie Arnold, Tom Banks, Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley, Marika Koroibete, Samu Kerevi and Will Skelton will zoom in remotely for team meetings during the camp.
Waratahs scrumhalf Jake Gordon was a surprise omission from Jones’ first squad.
Lonergan is yet to make his Wallabies debut, and joins his Brumbies teammate Nic White as one of two No.9s in the squad.
The 25-year-old is determined to impress Jones during the three-day camp.
“The pressure is always there. When you’re here you’ve got to perform, and if you don’t you won’t be here next time,” Lonergan said.
“We’ve done well to get here, but you’ve got to understand you can’t just be happy making it, especially just the first camp.
“We’ve got to continue to play well across the rest of the season to make sure I’m there at the end.
“So [it’s about] just trying to impress over the three days, and continue to impress throughout Super Rugby.”
Joining Lonergan in the camp is his brother and Brumbies teammate Lachlan, who has already notched eight caps for the Wallabies as hooker.
“It’s super special. I think I play in more teams with him than without him,” Ryan said.
“We’ve always gotten along really well. People thought that was weird when we were young, because a lot of brothers don’t really get along.
“We’ve been best mates our whole lives.”
