Expect the Wallabies to win the Rugby World Cup.
That’s the message from Eddie Jones to fans upon landing on home soil for the first time since being appointed Australian coach.
It’s a bold call, but one which Jones is happy to trumpet just nine months out from this year’s tournament in France.
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After being given the boot by England’s Rugby Football Union, it was Rugby Australia who swiftly swept the 62-year-old under its wing.
“I think they should expect us to win mate,” said Jones at Sydney International Airport.
“That’s why we’re going to compete in the World Cup and we’ve certainly got a team good enough to win.
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“I’m extremely honoured and humbled to coach Australia again,” he added.
“It’s a great period coming up for Australian rugby beginning with the World Cup in 2023, so nine months we’ve got to get the foot to the pedal and get on with it.”
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It’s a ‘build it and they will come’ approach for Jones who believes the Wallabies’ brand of rugby, engaging with the community, and winning will inspire the country.
With a long-term contract that will see him through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, it’s a chance to redeem himself after his agonising 2003 defeat.
Jones will have only a handful of opportunities at Test level to get the Wallabies up to speed before the all-important tournament.
That’ll see them face South Africa and Argentina in a condensed Rugby Championship before two Tests against New Zealand.
The All Blacks were a wobbly side at the best of times in 2022 and capitalising on that is front and centre of Jones’ mind leading into the Rugby World Cup.
“We want to get on the front page by winning,” he said.
“We want to see the headlines ‘Wallabies win the Bledisloe Cup for the first time for 22 years’. That’s the headlines we want to see.”
The challenge ahead isn’t lost on Jones, who remains optimistic about his side’s chances.
“The most exciting part of this is we’ve got a lot of work to do,” said Jones.
“There’s a great opportunity here. You can feel there’s a certain amount of goodwill about wanting the team wanting to do well and we’ve got to make sure we capitalise on that.”
Jones’ work begins almost immediately, heading to the Sydney Sevens with Rugby Australia.
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