Eddie Jones discusses Wazza-ball Wales and his continued love for England.

When Australia takes on a Wales team motivated by Warren Gatland’s “Wazza-ball” on Sunday night in Lyon, Eddie Jones has acknowledged that his team will face a significant challenge to remain in the Rugby World Cup.

After their shocking 22-15 loss to Fiji last Sunday in the best match of the tournament so far, the Wallabies’ participation in the event is almost certainly over if they lose to the Welsh in their Pool C match.

The rumors that Jones has already been told he can take charge of the Japan national team after the World Cup if he wants to could also result in the end of Jones’ second stint as the Wallabies’ head coach.

The 63-year-old Australian is in charge of his native nation for the second time during a World Cup after guiding them to the final in 2003, where they lost to England at home.

Jones acknowledged that he has been impressed by how Gatland, who is in charge of the Welsh team for the second time, has improved its fortunes.
This week’s Evening Standard Rugby Podcast episode featured his comments that “Warren has done a great job there.”.

“He [Gatland] initially targeted young players before bringing in the experienced players. He has them playing a very distinctive, fiercely defensive, high-kicking game you might call Wazza-ball.
They also play a lot off (Dan) Biggar once they enter the opponent’s 50. He is still a very talented player and arguably among the most fiercely competitive.

Jones continued, “Tactically, we need to play a little differently.
“We have lost our two power forwards (Will Skelton and Taniela Tupou), and they allowed us to play a certain way to get on the front foot.
Therefore, against Wales, we will have to rethink that, so we are currently brainstorming some ideas.

“After a loss, it’s always challenging, but you have to show up and try your best. I always accept responsibility for the performance in my capacity as head coach. We chose a young team to rebuild, and sometimes a young team struggles to react in the middle of a game.
I’m accountable for that.

But I do recall how England reacted after losing to South Africa in the opening match in 2007. At this time, we have the chance to take action.
We are hoping for a motivated performance this week because these are the weeks that make you feel most humble as a player and a coach.
“.

Jones also spoke to podcast host Lawrence Dallaglio about his continued love for the England rugby team despite being fired by the RFU at the end of the previous year.
After being fired by the English in December 2022 after seven years in charge, Jones was named Australia’s head coach in January.

Both teams competed on Sunday with contrasting outcomes. Australia lost to Fiji in Pool C in St. Etienne, their first defeat to the Fijians in 54 years, while England defeated Japan in Nice on a humid night to make it two wins out of two in Pool D.

Jones continued, “I still have a lot of love for England when I watch them.
“I adore the players, and I don’t harbor any ill will toward them.

“It’s not really that hard to support them,”.
For seven years, I had a great time there.
Consider an Australian serving as England’s coach for seven years.
Even though the relationship didn’t work out well, I loved it and we had some good success in it despite how contradictory it was.
“.