Rugby World Cup: “It’s the smell of blood,” Australia on the brink against Wales

2023-09-24 10:37:20

“People like the smell of blood. There are ten times more Australian journalists than usual. That’s the smell of blood. That’s what attracts. » The fanciful Wallabies coach Eddie Jones put on a show again on Friday at a press conference. It’s his personality, he is like that the sixty-year-old (63 years old), double finalist of the World Cup in 2003 with Australia and in 2019 with England. His selection is on the edge of an immense abyss, the one that a first elimination in the group stages of a World Cup would represent. Australia, crowned in 1991 and 1999, has never experienced such disillusionment.

“I know we will win”

This Sunday evening (9 p.m., TF1) on the lawn of Groupama Stadium in Lyon, this is however what will happen in the event of a defeat against Wales. Even in the event of victory, nothing would be guaranteed to him in a totally crazy Group C, shaken up by the power and desire of Fiji. But taking at least four points is an obligation to stay alive. “We know that at some point we have to play tough matches,” summarizes Eddie Jones. This one arrives earlier than expected. But we will prove that we are at the level, I have confidence. I know we will win on Sunday. »

An almost excessive optimism for the Wallabies in pain, deprived of their captain and pack leader Will Skelton for ten days (calf) and in reconstruction since the start of 2023. Beaten by the Fijians last week for the first time since 1954 , the Australians have only won 6 of their last 24 matches, in all competitions since November 2021. Called to the rescue last January, Eddie Jones embarked on a troop renewal operation.

History does not favor the Welsh

“I don’t see the point in waiting. We must build now. It takes six years to win a World Cup,” he admits. The experienced Michael Hooper (3rd row, 125 caps) and Quade Cooper (flyhalf, 72 caps) thus remained at home, too uncertain in the eyes of Eddie Jones. But if the Wallabies were already “sick” in their company, this French World Cup sheds even more light on the weaknesses of the Australian game. Their big advantage? Meeting a Wales not much more confident before starting this World Cup. But with 10 points in two matches, the Leek XV has gained some margin.

One thing is certain, for the Australian team, of which Frenchman Pierre-Henry Broncan is one of the assistant coaches, a defeat this Sunday and return tickets to Sydney will have to be activated earlier than expected. Far from the “acceptable” objective, in the words of the president of the Australian Federation Phil Waugh, of a semi-final. History does not seem favorable to the Welsh, who have only one World Cup success against a team from the southern hemisphere… It was against Australia in 2019 in Japan (29-25). “Experience will play a determining role,” analyzes Welsh coach Warren Gatland. We know what we want, we are confident. We have ten points and we know that, if we win, we will be in the quarter. »

“If I had feared criticism, I would have become a teacher”

All the pressure is therefore concentrated on the shoulders of Eddie Jones. “It’s the job of a coach,” he defends himself. If I had feared criticism, I would have become a teacher and I would have had a quiet little life, getting up every day at the same time, with my wife who prepares my lunch, the shirt, the tie, the certainties. Come home in the evening, wash the dog, clean the car, watch TV, and do the same the next day. I chose to be a coach. I like winning so much. I like the fact that I create a team that everyone expects to lose and see them win. It’s almost like a drug. » But be careful on the way back down.