Wallabies ‘positive’ despite ‘growing pains’ under Eddie Jones

Wallabies scrum-half Tate McDermott insists things are moving in the right direction but an “adjustment” period was always to be expected when adopting a new style of play.

Since the return of Eddie Jones to the head coaching role of the Wallabies, the team has looked to deploy a more unstructured game plan that thrives on instinct amongst the execution of fundamentals.

However, the results have not shown promise as the team took 43 points from the Springboks before losing against Argentina late in round two of the Rugby Championship.

“Growing pains”

McDermott, who has not played the biggest role in the second Jones era, admits the team, like supporters, are frustrated that the results have not come their way but insists in time things will fall into place.

“For us, we know that what we’ve done in the past hasn’t worked for us, so with this new game model there’s going to be growing pains and there’s going to be adjustments,” McDermott said.

“We’re trying to play a game that’s a hell of a lot more unstructured than what we have in the past, and given the way the Super Rugby teams [play], there’s teams that play unstructured and there’s teams that are very structured, so there’s going to be a transition period.

“There’s guys who are definitely going to have to upskill those areas because they haven’t played like that before, and that’s the challenge that we’re faced with, but they’re improving.

“Did I think it would take this long?

“Probably not, but things are looking positive and I know that’s frustrating to hear from a supporters’ point of view because it’s bloody frustrating from our point of view as well.

“We say it every year, we want to get results for Australia and we seem to fall short the majority of those years.”

Return of Tongan Thor

One of the focal points of Jones’ philosophy with the Wallabies this time around is increased physicality which could be aided by the timely return of powerhouse prop Taniela Tupou from injury.

After rupturing his Achilles tendon last year the 27-year-old returned to actions for Australia ‘A’ and is expected to be in the mix for the Bledisloe Test in Melbourne on July 29 against the All Blacks.

“You look at what the All Blacks did to the Springboks on the weekend, particularly at the set piece and around the park in terms of their physicality and what [Tupou] does is he just shores that up,” McDermott said.

“He’s a big body and he’s athletic and we’re going to need him come game time at the MCG.”

READ MORE: Rugby Australia unveil new partnership with Japan Rugby Football Union