Australia’s head coach Eddie Jones says he remains “full of confidence” about his team’s chance of success despite the savage 41-17 defeat the Wallabies suffered in France at the weekend. It was also the team’s fifth straight defeat since he took over the reins.
The Wallabies, two-time World Cup champions, start their tournament on September 8 against Georgia, but have not been able to finish since Jones signed up at the start of the year.
“There’s a lot of confidence in the team,” Jones told reporters.
“We would like a better win-loss record.
“We are trying to play a different kind of game and the results were not good enough. But we have a long-term plan for the World Cup and that’s why we’re here,” says Jones.
In the French capital, young flyhalf Carter Gordon had a difficult game – and he kicked away ten points in his fifth international game. The 22-year-old was one of 12 players in the match squad with ten tests or less under his belt.
“It’s 100% a source of concern, but all we can do is work with the young man,” Jones said.
“We have young guys in the team and we stand behind them; he will improve.”
One bright spot for 63-year-old Jones was winger Suliasi Vunivali’s try.
“I thought about a number of players who are improving – and Suli is one of them.
“He scored one good try, could have scored a few more. He looked like he was ready to play at the highest level.”
Jones returned for a second round as Australian coach after England gave him the go-ahead last year.
On Saturday, Fiji beat his former team for the first time. The Wallabies face Fiji in a decisive group match on 17 September.
“It was fantastic. It gives even more color to the competition.
“This year it could be the World Cup that nobody will forget.”
