Eddie Jones ‘serious’ about his latest innovation in Wallabies set-up

Dylan Coetzee 25 Jun 2023 11:04 AM

Eddie Jones smiles during a Wallabies press conference

Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones is targeting extreme versatility within specific aspects of his squad for the Rugby Championship that begins on July 8 against the Springboks.

Jones named his training squad earlier today for the southern hemisphere tournament, which features eight uncapped players and two skippers, Michael Hooper and James Slipper, in a co-captain structure.

Two more powerful than one

The veteran coach insists the decision to have two captains is part of his bid to change the Wallabies whilst also claiming the pair complement each other as leaders.

“We want to change the Wallabies,” Jones said.

“The combination of character and style between Hoops and Slips and you don’t get two more experienced players in world rugby. So that’s a big advantage for us… we want to do things differently but better.

“The two of them together – it’s a powerful force for us. Like it’s a winning edge for us guys, a winning edge for us… with injury there may be a situation where they’re both not on the field and that’s where the leadership group will fill the back end.”

Out-of-the-box

Jones has become renowned for out-of-the-box thinking and innovation within the game and his latest one comes in the form of uncapped Josh Kemeny.

The Melbourne Rebels loose forward has been listed under “utility” in the Wallabies squad as he wants Kemeny to cover both flanks and wing – a unique combination of positions.

The former England head coach claims the thought process is around the frequency of cards being shown during games and the importance of being adaptable.

“We want Kemeny to play seven, six and play on the wing,” Jones said.

“He’s quick enough to play on the wing. That’s why he’s down as a utility player.

“We need to develop a team that’s multidimensional because of the fact that with red cards, yellow cards, you need to be able to adapt on the field. So nothing’s not possible and we need to develop that adaptability in the team… we’re creating the structure of the team that will take us to the World Cup and we need a back-rower who can play wing.

“I’m serious about this, you know Hoops (Michael Hooper) can probably do it. In his younger days, he was quick, he was faster than most of the wingers and now he’s probably as fast apart from Suli (Vunivalu) when he’s got his cattle prod chasing him. And then Kemeny’s quick enough to be a winger. He’s a tall, rangy guy, good in the air.”