Jones speaks out

25 Nov 2009

Eddie Jones explains why he thinks the Wallabies are struggling under head coach Robbie Deans.

In an interview with Sky Sports Radio, Jones said Deans is forcing a game plan that doesn’t gel well with the Wallabies because it is a ‘New Zealand style of rugby’.

‘I think we’ve lost that instinctive way we play, and we stand wide and we’re lateral and we play like a New Zealand side,’ said the former Wallabies coach. ‘Robbie has a way of coaching, and I think he’s a very successful coach, but I don’t think his style of attack suits the Australian players and that’s something he’s going to learn over the next period of time.

‘You’ve got to learn instinct. Whilst some players are born naturally with it – the Giteaus and the Carters – the others, you’ve got to coach into it and it’s the structure you put around them to allow them to play.’

Jones also thought Deans’ attacking game plan was not ideal in the modern game.

‘It’s about the way the game is at the moment. Most sides play rugby league defence, that’s quite obvious, and you can’t play an old-style rugby union attack where you stand deep and you stand wide and you expect to beat them on the outside.’

While critical of Deans’ coaching methods, Jones believes with a few adjustments, Deans can still become a success with the Wallabies.

‘I think Deans is a very good coach. He does need to change his methods a little bit, the Australian players are different to New Zealand players. New Zealand players have generally been the best in world rugby because they have been physically stronger and faster than anyone else,’ he said.

‘Australian sides traditionally, while physically we go OK, our point of difference has been that we’ve been tactically and strategically a little better than other teams. I think at the moment we’ve lost that a little bit.

‘I think Robbie can learn that. Some good things have happened and there’s no reason to change the coach but I think he does need some help.’



70 Comments

Pages: [1] 2 » Show All

  • 1.dWeePer: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 07:22 am

    The wise man talks. I see Brendon Venter is doing a better sob at Saracens than him.

  • 2.WestAussieBok: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 07:27 am

    Would be great if the Boks brought him in again as a technical adviser. He’s not the greatest man-manager which, as a head coach, is an essential characteristic but his technical knowledge is excellent. Our backline play improved immeasurably when he came on board.

  • 3.stew: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 07:44 am

    @WestAussieBok: 100% – Jones got the best out of the Bok backline in recent time – still think it might of been because FS was at first centre

  • 4.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 07:45 am

    yeah, this aussie team has somehow lost the ‘feel’ of an Aussie team…i agree with E J …

    Bok back line play has been a bit sterile at times, with Muir off to DOR of Lions \there is a gap soon i reckon.

  • 5.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 07:48 am

    On way down 123 steps to Clifton beach with my dog this morning, i almost got taken out by about 10 Stormers who were sprinting up the stairs!!

    Early season training, guys look in great shape and so friendly as well…..JD Moller at the back LOL…

    Duvenhage flying in front with Peter Grant in pursuit….jeez,now i know how it feels to have the Stormers team charging down on you!!

  • 6.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 07:49 am

    eddie jones can go to hell, him & his gatgabba jake white are always making comments about other coaches, well here is the ******* reality check boys, deans, pdv, gatland, henry, lievremont, kidney, johnson etc all have international coaching jobs while you two are scrounging around in japan & being mercenaries “consulting”! Eddie likes to act like he is a mr know-it-all!

  • 7.stew: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 07:50 am

    @grant10: Just make sure they dont slip on any dog **** ….. Dont want to be the cause of unwarranted injuries Grant – LOL

  • 8.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 07:53 am

    @stew: LOL….no….packets at the ready….dog trained…only does the deed on the beach!!

    F.Louw kakked himself…i reckon he is scared of dogs!

  • 9.stew: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 07:55 am

    @grant10: LOL – cause he has been bitten before !!!!!

  • 10.Sharksgirl: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 07:56 am

    @grant10: What dog do you have Grant?

  • 11.Dunx: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 08:11 am

    too true but eddie should offer him insights and help him with the places he may be lacking share his knowledge if deans want to listen

  • 12.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 08:12 am

    @grant10:

    No wonder they are always complaining of player fatigue.

  • 13.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 08:18 am

    @Sharksgirl: Golden Retriever. My girlfriends dog….i live a stones throw from Clifton 2 nd beach….so spend a half hour in the morning with him there….

    Later in day have to walk the 1.5km to Glen Beach because beaches packed and no doga allowed…Glen beach less hectic…

  • 14.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 08:19 am

    @Dawn: LOL…well the dog assisted F Louw….he upped the ante and sprinted past the dog!!

    Bangbroek!

  • 15.Sharksgirl: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 08:24 am

    @grant10: Beautiful! You right Bangbroek – How could Low be scared of a Retriever! One of the more placid dogs, if far too intelligent for me! I like the dozy dogs, they need less entertainment fits in more with my fitness levels :oops: Although if I lived close to a beach it would be different for me!

    I have a boerbull cross Bull Mastiff, she looks more like the Mastiff and she is huge (smaller than a Boerbull) when we go for walks every one gives us a wide berth, but they are more in danger of being slobbered to death than being bitten :)

  • 16.sparticus: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 08:29 am

    Good to see the Stormers being so early prepared , Kitch Christie said in 95 that we will win the WC because we the fittest team , it was true. The morning of the opening game Francious Pienaar took the team for the traditional run in Walmer Estate where they were based (Holiday Inn) , I was standing in the street watching them run up the hill in awe. They were super fit !!

    PS – ok I admit I was in awe because it was the boks and totally unexpected to see my hero’s run in the street in front of my doorstep but still looking back I remember now how fit they were :)

  • 17.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 08:34 am

    @Sharksgirl: Yes….Retriever is helleva clever….and ultra placid….this mutt of my girlfriends is well trained and being close to the beach in great shape as he is run and exercised a lot. IHe and i have our moments, but all in all i enjoy his company as i work from a home office. The blonde has a hectic job in politics so its the dog and i mostly from about 7 30 am to 18hoo….

    I enjoy the Bull Mastiffs, Boerboels and Rottweilers, a couple of fantastic Boerboels on the beach, massive but friendly….and slow, so cant catch the Retriever!!

    Not really a ‘pet’person but have to admit the Retriever has got under my skin…

  • 18.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 08:52 am

    @sparticus: ja….the conditioning is superb….JD Moller a prop but no fat ,etc….times have changed

  • 19.puff: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 08:58 am

    Giteau’s always been a weak goal-kicker.
    He should be playing 12 and not 10.
    Far more potent carving through defenses than being the link man.
    Deans is turning a cold shoulder to senior players.
    George Smith is the latest who seems to be on the skids in favour of young Pocock.
    Tuqiri, Waugh… and Mortlock also seems to be on his way out.

  • 20.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 08:59 am

    @sparticus:
    As fit as January and JPietersen?

  • 21.puff: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 09:05 am

    I can list up to 50 players in the Stormers extended squad.
    It’s going to be tough for them to wittle it down to 30-36 players.
    Especially in the backs.
    Habana, Naqelevuki, Koster, Aplon, Juries, Engelbrecht…
    Newman, Bosch, Fourie, De Jongh, Welsh, Des Fountain…
    Who makes the cut?
    Who doesn’t?

  • 22.OhYeah: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 09:12 am

    6. Transformation

    Chill out man – these guys are two of the most successful coaches in world rugby!
    Give them their due mate, a least they can speak from experience. What about you, same old, same old!

  • 23.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 09:12 am

    @puff: Yes I hope that they don’t end up discarding the players they’ve just bought to be drafted by the other teams…

  • 24.ufo: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 09:37 am

    I think Eddie is fudging the lines a bit here… His points about modern rugby may be valid but I don’t think that is the problem with the Dean’s Wallabies…

    IMO… the problem is with the psyche of Austrailan rugby… Dean’s is used to coaching guys who love rugby and know from school level that if they’re not good enough or there’re plenty of guys to take their place. Therefore there are fewer primadonnas in NZ rugby.

    In Australia on the other hand (Darren) rugby players mostly come from privileged backgrounds where there are fewer players from school level and the coaches don’t necessarily have anyone to replace a petulant player or a player that doesn’t listen or a player who is not that good… so the Aussie coaches have to work with, in and around that culture… but they come from the same culture and therefore it “works” for them…

    Now Deans comes along and insists on discipline and not being afraid to drop a player who does not fall in line… The players know there is no one else at national level and therefore don’t take the playing for the jersey concept as seriously as the ABs and the Boks… Both country’s players will pretty much do and put up with ANYTHING to earn the jersey… The Aussie players won’t… They operate from a perspective of entitlement… the ABs and Boks operate from perspective of if they don’t put it all on the line EVERY TIME and produce the goods EVERY TIME there are players ready and willing to step up into their jerseys…

    in short there is more desperation (for want of a better word) in SA and NZ to play in the jersey than there is in Aus…

  • 25.ufo: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 09:40 am

    @ufo:

    the same thing has happened with the Force and John Mitchell..

  • 26.puff: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 09:41 am

    Moller, Blaauw, Harris, Kritzinger, De Neully Rice, Whitehead, Smith, Smith
    Liebenberg, Fourie, Shimange, Ferreira
    Fondse, Steenkamp, Bekker, Van Zyl, Lobberts, Muller, Earle
    Burger, Myburgh, Britz
    Louw, Jordaan
    Vermeulen, Louw
    Januarie, Duvenhage, Conradie, Hoffman
    De Waal, Grant, Cronje
    Habana, Naqelevuki, Engelbrecht
    Newman, Bosch
    Fourie, De Jongh, Welsh, Des Fountain
    Koster, Aplon, Juries
    Jantjes, Pieterson, Groepes, Bax

  • 27.ufo: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 09:47 am

    @Sharksgirl:

    Retrievers and Spaniels are responsible for biting more people than any other breeds…

    :shock:

    amazing… but true…

  • 28.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 09:50 am

    @ufo: Spaniels i understand….but Retrievers??

    WOW!

  • 29.sparticus: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 09:55 am

    @Hondo: Dont think the guys today are as fit as the 95 Boks.

  • 30.Sharksgirl: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 09:56 am

    @ufo: :Shock: I really didn’t know that! Gosh I know that Spaniels have bad reputations, but retrievers look so placid!

  • 31.ufo: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:03 am

    @grant10:

    Hey Grant… It’s a numbers game… It’s only because they are two of the most popular breeds on the planet…

  • 32.ufo: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:11 am

    let me rephrase that…

    They ARE the two most popular breeds on the planet…

  • 33.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:14 am

    @ufo:

    What’s with all the weeny dog talk.

    ALSATIANS OR NOTHING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 34.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:14 am

    @ufo: ja….thought so….mine is very placid….great with kids …but up for the battles with the odd dog on the beach….but mostly handbags…snarl, show teeth, etc….

    A bit like the Bok scrum…plenty of gnashing of teeth but no real substance.

  • 35.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:16 am

    BUT …

    if I have to settle for a dinky dog, it will be a SCOTTIE !!!!!

  • 36.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:17 am

    @Dawn: Grumpy dogs those Elsatians….

    Camps Bay and Clifton all these bloody designer dogs!!

    Strange looking creatures, French Bulldogs….!! Afghans….they look better manicured than the ladies walking them….and better fed too!!

  • 37.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:18 am

    @grant10:

    My Alsatian will be called KILLER.

  • 38.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:20 am

    @Dawn: Scotties!! Ultra grumpy!! And not scared of any other dog….ask me…i know all these breeds,walk the beaches for hours!!

    Bull terriers seriously scary….i been chased by them all….

    Great Danes are majestic, but my favorite is a really fit Bulldog….magic fellow…dig him

  • 39.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:21 am

    @Dawn: LOL….i reckon you an Alsatian type lady….all tough exterior….

    But a poodle deep down in that heart!!

  • 40.ufo: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:28 am

    @Dawn:

    Don’t use that word with the breeders… They’re called German Shepherds…

    Rather like the when-we’s saying Rhodesia and not Zimbabwe…

    @grant10: Even the most placid dog get’s irritated after the kids has poked it’s eye’s for the millionth time…

    You don’t get bad dogs… only bad people/owners…

  • 41.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:28 am

    Poodle? Naaaah.

    Marshmallow? Yes.

  • 42.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:29 am

    @ufo:

    Woof.

  • 43.Sharksgirl: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:30 am

    @grant10: My favorite breed of dog is a Bulldog!

  • 44.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:31 am

    @Dawn: LOL….knew it!!

  • 45.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:34 am

    @Sharksgirl: Ja….Justrugby had a great big Bulldog….when we played England the dog , who was called Gin , was banned from the lounge….hilarious.

    Stupid dog chased me one day, cant remember why, i had to jump on back of bakkie and wait for Justrugby to calm him down,

    Poor bugger died, Justrugby was a broken man!!

  • 46.ufo: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:34 am

    @Dawn:

    grrrrr…..

  • 47.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:40 am

    @ufo:

    Behave!

  • 48.Sharksgirl: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:42 am

    @grant10: Poor Gin! I can understand JR! Must have felt bad for banning him during the matches, as well he should :evil: :)

  • 49.justrugby: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:49 am

    @Sharksgirl:

    LOL….I am still a broken man !!! When we played England in a 5 day test the bugger was banned from coming inside for 5 days !!!

    I remember the day he chased Grant10 well……..was hilarious………Gin was a softy, would never harm a fly !!!!

  • 50.gunther: Reply to this comment
    25 Nov 2009, 10:51 am

    @Dawn:

    dinkie dog indeed scotties are fierce hunting dogs…

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