‘I suffered that wrath’ – Chris Robshaw knows all about Eddie Jones’ ruthless streak

Former England captain Chris Robshaw empathises with Wallabies centurion Michael Hooper, who was discarded by Eddie Jones before the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Hooper’s story is similar to Robshaw’s after the Red Rose back-row was deemed surplus to requirements ahead of the 2019 global tournament.

He played his last game for his country in 2018 but was a key part of the squad during their Six Nations Grand Slam triumph in 2016.

Robshaw also starred in the landmark 3-0 series victory over Australia later that year before starting every Six Nations match in 2018.

World Cup disappointment

However, Jones looked elsewhere heading into the 2019 World Cup in Japan, with the ex-skipper failing to make the wider squad.

Hooper is in the same situation in 2023 having been left out of Australia’s 33, although the 31-year-old is holding out some hope that he will be needed over the next month-and-a-half.

“It is a bit sad to be honest. I suffered that wrath before the last World Cup. Me, Dylan Hartley, (James) Haskell, Mike Brown, Danny Care, all very experienced guys and kind of who played a lot, got dropped,” Robshaw said on Planet Rugby’s Captain’s Call podcast, brought to you by eToro.

“He’s done it before and he’s not afraid to put his mark on the squad. I think Australia have played some good rugby and haven’t quite had the results yet.”

Australia go into the World Cup having failed to win a match in 2023, suffering five defeats in a row since Jones took charge.

The head coach is still searching for the formula that will bring them success, but Robshaw does not necessarily believe that they are as far away as their results have suggested.

“Now you know how we feel”

“I remember actually speaking to Michael Hooper, and it was with England when I think we had lost five games on the bounce, of which four had been to New Zealand and one to South Africa,” he said.

“He just said: ‘Now you know how we feel. Everyone gives us loads of stick that we haven’t won a game in so long, but we’re playing the best two or three teams in the world the whole time.’

“That it is very tough, and I think you have to look at that a little bit as well. When you look at the results, he’s definitely bold to leave a player like Michael Hooper out, who’s been the rock of that team for so long.

“He’s not afraid to make big calls and that’s why he’s had success.

“Will they have success? I’m not sure. I actually think this group is the most open group out of everyone because I don’t think there’s a clear favourite.”

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