In 1897, the author Mark Twain addressed persistent media rumours he was on his deathbed. “The report of my death was an exaggeration,” Twain wrote.
Similarly, Australian rugby has spent the last six months facing questions about its impending mortality after a disastrous World Cup under Eddie Jones. But a competitive start by Australian sides in the opening three rounds of Super Rugby, including victories by the Reds and the Waratahs against powerhouse New Zealand opposition, has kept the gravediggers at bay for the moment.
Despite Jones’ reputation having taken a battering after last year’s chaotic campaign, the early revival of Australian form this year arguably bears some fingerprints of the ex-coach.
Entering the new Super Rugby season, the 2023 World Cup seemingly divided Wallabies players into two camps.
There were those who’d been brushed by Jones for France and had been stewing about it all summer, waiting for the new year to arrive. Then there was the mostly young core of players who’d been selected and thrown into battle by Jones, and though they emerged bruised and battered, they also emerged wiser and as stronger, more experienced players.
In the first group, the Reds’ young No.8 Harry Wilson and the Waratahs’ back-rower Jed Holloway showed in their strong performances in wins against the Chiefs and Crusaders respectively how wrong Jones was to overlook them. Wilson, in particular, has been a dynamo........