Jones fears young Aussie player exodus

Former Wallabies coach Alan Jones says Australia can win the next Rugby World Cup, but fears they are at risk of losing players unless the code talks itself up.

Jones is coaching the Barbarians against the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday and believes there is plenty of talent in Australian rugby.

"This is a very good Wallabies side at the moment and the success (against New Zealand) last week didn't surprise me," Jones told Stuff.

"But the thing that I've seen is there is very significant depth."

"The playing strength of Australian rugby is in good shape.

"We want Australian rugby to be the strongest setup in the world and it can be."

Jones believes that Australia's rugby union must retain its players who are being poached by rival codes such as League and Aussie Rules.

He said two of the three outstanding schoolboy rugby players called up to assist the Barbarians with their preparations are going to rival codes.

"These kids are coming through, if we don't talk the game up, they'll go somewhere else and we want them here," Jones said.

"We've just got to stop this leaking of talent."

Jones also said that injuries and the reluctance of overseas clubs to release players has made it difficult for him to assemble a squad in time to adequately prepare for Saturday's game.

"A lot of them are young, a lot of them are rejects not necessarily (Wallaby coach) Michael (Cheika's) rejects, they are just blokes that have had a go and have been passed aside," Jones said.

"They've trained well and they've played well in the limited time we've had.

"We'll be showcasing a lot of people here on Saturday that are perhaps second tier, but wanting to be first tier."