Eddie Jones gathers first Wallabies squad for training camp
SYDNEY (AP) — Prospective World Cup Wallabies met new head coach Eddie Jones for the first time Monday, admitting a little anxiety about what might lie ahead of them under the famously tough taskmaster.
Jones’ first Wallabies squad of the year convened for a three-day training camp on Australia’s Gold Coast at which most players will receive their first experience of the style of the former Randwick, ACT Brumbies, Australia, Japan and England coach.
Some players have flourished under Jones’ coaching; others have complained of the length and rigor of his training sessions and called him a control freak and micro manager. The new group of Wallabies will have a chance to make up their own minds up over the next few days, while overseas-based players will be able to join team meetings via Zoom.
“There’s a bit of angst, we don’t really know what to expect,” scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan said. “You can be as ready as you can, but we don’t really know what’s coming.
“It is quite nerve-wracking. You’ve got to try to get the right first impression there.”
The current training camp is just the first step on the Wallabies’ path to the World Cup in France later this year. Jones has named 33 players but is well known for spreading a wide net and players likely will come and go before he settles on a World Cup squad.
Apart from the players overseas, several local players currently are unavailable because of injury.
Lonergan stressed the importance of taking the chance to make a good impression, to get a foot in the door.
“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.”
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