VIDEO: Eddie Jones has put a #BIG target on Boks
An array of factors and possible tactics have been put forward as being central to the outcome of the opening match in the 2023 Rugby Championship.
However, the biggest ‘influencer’ when South Africa host Australia in the tournament opener at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday is Wallaby coach Eddie Jones.
Jones, 63, is no stranger to the Springboks – with his reputation as a kingmaker going back to his days as a assistant to Jake White during SA’s successful 2007 World Cup campaign.
Then there is his role in the ‘Brighton Miracle’ – when he coached an unfancied Japan to a shock win over the Boks in a pool match at the 2015 World Cup.
In 2001, Jones became coach of the Wallabies for the first time, where he enjoyed a successful four years. During this period, the team won the 2001 Tri-Nations and Jones guided the Australian team to the Final of 2003 World Cup on home soil. He was also the Wallabies coach when Australia last held the Bledisloe Cup in 2002.
In his first full year in charge of England he led them to their first Grand Slam in 13 years and in 2017 England became only the second international team to go an entire calendar year unbeaten.
He returned to home soil in January 2023, signing a five-year contract to coach Australia through to the World Cup on home soil in 2027.
Loose forward Rob Valetini said since the group first got together back in April, Jones has been imprinting on them that they must have a belief in their ability to record a first-ever win over the Boks in Pretoria.
Born and bred in Australia, but with a deep Fijian heritage, the prodigiously talented back row forward said the entire team has bought into the goal.
“Since we’ve come back into camp, that is all the boys have been talking about,” he said of Jones’ theme of ‘belief’.
“The boys are confident,” he said, adding: “If we don’t believe in ourselves, who else is going to believe in us.
“The belief is strong in this team.”
Utility back Reece Hodge echoed similar sentiments at a media briefing in the build-up to Saturday Round One encounter.
(WATCH as loose forward Rob Valetini and back Reece Hodge speak about the influence Eddie Jones is having on the team in his second stint as Wallaby coach…)
Hodge said Jones, in his first Test since his return to the Wallabies coaching role, has left no stone unturned.
“One thing that Eddie has brought in is a lot of detail,” Hodge said.
“He is one of the hardest workers I have come across.
“He is meticulous in his preparation – both in the last two weeks of our camp and in this week leading up to the Test.
“He has been pretty impressive.”
It is certainly not just all work and no play for Jones.
“He is actually pretty funny,” the back with the booming boot said, adding: “He gets the boys laughing quite a bit.
“He is always good for the vibes when he cracks a joke in a team meeting.
“It is a good environment to be a part of – one where we are working hard, but also have some fun.”
Valetini is set to resume his rivalry with Duane Vermeulen at Loftus, saying the Wallabies are braced for a physical onslaught from the Springboks.
“They are big boys, especially Duane there at the back of the scrum,” said Valetini.
“We are going to have to be wary of him, and the other two there as well.
“They are big ball carriers and when I think of the Springboks, that is what they bring.
“We are going to have to find ways to bring them to the ground and try and slow them up there.
“With the Springboks, their forwards do a lot of work with their big carries,” Valetini added.
“We think they are going to try and bully us with their forward pack and then unleash their reserves.
“We are ready for that. It is going to be an 80-minute game of high pace and a lot of impact on the field.”
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* Picture credit: Julius Dimataga/RugbyAU media
