"It's a big blow for Australian rugby to have the best coach in the world returning to the country", welcomed Monday, January 16, Hamish McLennan, president of the Australian Rugby Federation, after the return of 'Eddie Jones in charge of the Wallabies.

A big blow and a comeback since Eddie Jones, soon to be 63, has already served as Australia coach between 2001 and 2005, taking the Wallabies to the World Cup final in 2003 (defeat against England) .

We look forward to welcoming Eddie back in Australia and wish Dave all the best in his future endeavours.

pic.twitter.com/mKzFj5BCOg

— Rugby Australia (@RugbyAU) January 16, 2023

He was thanked by England last month, with whom he won the Six Nations tournament three times and played in a World Cup final, losing to South Africa in 2019 (32-12).

Eddie Jones has signed a long-term contract as he is supposed to take him until the 2027 World Cup, at home.

As well as coaching the Wallabies, he will oversee the Wallaroos women's team program.

He succeeds New Zealander Dave Rennie, fired after three seasons and who is paying the price for a disappointing 2022, with 9 defeats in 14 matches, including one narrowly against France in November 2022 at the Stade de France.

A mediocre 2022 with England   

"It's a wonderful opportunity for me to return to Australia and lead my nation to the World Cup" in France (September 8 to October 28), reacted Eddie Jones, 62, who will take over at the end of the month.

"If we can get everyone fit and healthy (...) I'm sure we can go to France and end 24 years of food shortage," he promised, referring to the last of the two world titles of the Wallabies, won in 1999 against the Blues.

Back home, Jones will have to restore his image after a mediocre year 2022 which ended in six defeats in 12 matches with the XV of England.

She notably lost in the framework of the VI Nations Tournament against the Blues, authors of a Grand Slam in 2022. 

Eddie Jones himself questioned last month his ability to bounce back and regain the lead of a selection in the World Cup, after seven trying seasons with England.

But "if someone comes to see me with an offer that I cannot refuse, then I will consider it", added the one who also led Japan from 2012 to 2015, with a historic Japanese victory in the World Cup against South Africa (34-32), in his final year.

"Eddie and I think we can win the World Cup this year," said Hamish McLennan, referring to a "recovery" on the occasion of this change of coach.

 With AFP  

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