Wallabies coach Eddie Jones stays adamant he has “no regrets” about taking a squad filled with inexperience to the World Cup regardless of a shock loss to Fiji which has positioned Australia’s marketing campaign on life assist.
Former co-captain James Slipper, probably the most expertise participant within the squad, additionally stated the gamers had been “calm and measured” within the changerooms after the 22-15 loss, throughout which the Wallabies gave up 18 penalties and missed 23 tackles, regardless of figuring out a loss to Wales within the subsequent match will finish probability of development to the quarter-finals.
It was the primary time since 1954 the Wallabies had misplaced to Fiji and with accidents additionally hitting the Australians – prop Taniela Tupou has a hamstring points and captain Will Skelton watched the match from the sidelines sporting a moon boot – and Jones was even booed by the group throughout the match.
Jones admitted neither of the injured stars could be out there for the subsequent must-win conflict in opposition to Wales.
The coach, who was appointed for 4 years however has gained simply certainly one of seven matches since assuming management, defended his determination to take a brush to the earlier squad, failing to choose gamers together with former captain Michael Hooper, and go along with a primary selection No.10 in Carter Gordon who’s but to play 10 exams with no seasoned back-up.
He stated Australian rugby wanted to alter, that was his plan, and he wouldn’t draw back from it regardless of the potential for an unsightly early World Cup exit.
“I made the decision to go for a younger team and if that‘s the wrong decision then I will be held accountable for that,” he stated.
“But I think Australian rugby needs to move on to a younger team. I am prepared to go through some pain to leave Australia with a team capable of doing really well in a World Cup.
“That‘s not to say we can’t do it, we’ve had a bit of a setback today but that’s all part of being in a World Cup.
“I do remember South Africa lost a game and won a World Cup, so funny things have happened.”
He additionally backed his younger fly-half Gordon to return good regardless of hauling him off following a poor exhibiting.
Gordon was at fault for Josua Tuisova’s strive early within the second half that allowed Fiji to stretch their lead as he misjudged his leap to catch a excessive ball, permitting the burly centre to scoop up the free ball and scamper away to attain.
“Carter’s a young 10, he’s going to have those days,” Jones advised reporters.
“I’ve said this before, he’s always going to have those days but he’ll bounce back, he’s a good young player.”
Former All Black Sonny Bill Williams, working for tv, stated Gordon might have used the assist of a extra skilled teammate after a efficiency like that.
“We’ve gone with a young team, I’ve got no regrets at all,” stated Jones. “We’re building a team for the future and we’re going to go through some pain and some of the young players are going to go through some pain and that’s how you have an apprenticeship. He’s got plenty of support.”
Jones, in the meantime, stated he in all probability deserved the jeers he obtained from the group as he apologised for the performace.
“We’re doing our absolute best and I apologise,” Jones stated.
“It’s my fault. I take full responsibility for it.
“They should be throwing baguettes, croissants at me. I deserve whatever I get.
“It definitely hurts me personally. I’m 100 per cent responsible for it.
“I’ve gone down the line of picking a young team and I want this young team to be a good team at the moment.
“We had a bad day today, which can happen. And we’ve got to be better next week. So that’s my responsibility.”
Victory would have all however assured the Wallabies a spot within the quarter-finals.
Now they need to win their two remaining pool video games in opposition to Wales and Portugal to have any probability of progressing, with bonus factors looming as a doable deciding issue.
The subsequent match will not be the one focus in line with Slipper.
“We‘re all calm and measured in the changing room. We know what’s coming is another big game against Wales,” he stated.
“So you can kick stones for half an hour or so but now it’s about getting better.”
The Wallabies scored two tries to at least one and Jones stated his males “dominated” the begins however had been a “poor version of ourselves”
“So there‘s a bit of soul-searching to do, but it makes the Wales game pretty important,” he stated.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
