- Wallabies face criticism after a surprising loss to Fiji in the Rugby World Cup.
- Eddie Jones’ decision to select a younger team has come under scrutiny.
- Players rally behind their coach, taking responsibility for on-field performance.
- A must-win game against Wales is looming, with the Wallabies’ World Cup dreams at stake.
The Australian rugby team, the Wallabies, have defended their coach, Eddie Jones, amidst criticism following their Rugby World Cup loss to Fiji. Players insist that the responsibility falls on them as they move towards a critical match against Wales.
Eddie Jones Under the Scanner
Eddie Jones, who took over from Dave Rennie, has faced scrutiny for the team’s recent performance, achieving just one win from seven tests. The shocking 22-15 defeat to Fiji marked the Wallabies’ first loss to Fiji in 69 years and has left their World Cup dreams in limbo.
Jones has also been criticized for selecting a notably young and inexperienced team for the World Cup, sidelining experienced players like Michael Hooper, Quade Cooper, and Bernard Foley. Despite the setbacks, Jones remains confident in his choices, stating that he believes in the young team’s potential for future World Cups.
#eddiejones #RWC2023 #Wallabies vs #fiji Post Match Interview. Aussie "dominated" the stats. pic.twitter.com/YBNIfElbyG
— Geoff Longly (@GeoffLongly) September 17, 2023
Wallabies’ Players Rally Behind Their Coach
Several Wallabies players have voiced their support for Jones. Lock Richie Arnold emphasized that while Jones can prepare the team, the players on the field ultimately execute the game. He stated,
“It’s down to the players at the end of the day. He can prep us as best as possible, but we’re the ones doing the job.”
Flanker Fraser McReight also praised Jones for attempting to shield the team from criticism and asserted that the players are the ones playing and should bear the responsibility.
Also read: How to Watch Rugby World Cup 2023 Stream!
Crucial Match-Up Ahead
The Wallabies now face a critical match against Wales. To keep their World Cup aspirations alive, they likely need not only a win but possibly a bonus point as well. They have a challenging task, as another loss could result in a historic first: missing out on the knockout stages of the World Cup.
Up for it 😤#Wallabies #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/AeMUR7SVpx
— Wallabies (@wallabies) September 18, 2023
Veteran James Slipper remains optimistic, drawing parallels to previous tournaments where the Wallabies overcame pool-stage defeats to advance to later stages.
