He’s one of the toughest taskmasters in world rugby but Eddie Jones 2.0 is also developing a reputation as an accomplished comedian in Wallabies camp.
The master coach’s “smash and grab” 2023 campaign kicks off with a daunting assignment against the world champion Springboks in Pretoria on Sunday (AEST).
Australia is yet to beat South Africa at Loftus Versfeld in seven attempts and bookmakers installed the world champions as hot favourites despite naming a largely second string team for the Rugby Championship opener.
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Jones is walking towards the shot at history on the Highveld but is also working to balance the pressure on his players with plenty of levity.
“He’s actually pretty funny,” Wallabies utility Reece Hodge confirmed.
“Gets the boys laughing quite a bit in camp and it’s always good for the vibes when he cracks a joke in a team meeting or something like that.
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“It’s been a good environment to be a part of. One where we’re working hard, but also having a bit of fun as well.”
Hodge is renowned as one of the most diligent students in Australian rugby and his media appearance suggests he will win a spot in the matchday 23 when Jones shows his selection hand on Thursday.
Hodge’s versatility will likely secure him a spot as one of two backs on Australia’s bench, allowing Jones six impact forwards to match the bruising Boks ‘bomb squad.’
“One thing that Eddie’s brought in is a lot of detail,” Hodge said.
“He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve come across. He’s very meticulous in the preparation, both in the last few weeks of camp for training and also leading into the first Test. He’s pretty impressive and all the assistants as well have been working very hard to prepare for this first game and for the rest of the campaign.”
Wallabies loose forward Rob Valetini also stressed that Jones had been placing huge importance on the mental side of the game.
“From April camp, back then, all Eddie was talking about was towards belief. And when we came straight back into camp, that’s all the boys were talking about,” Valetini said.
“All the boys are confident as well. If we don’t believe ourselves that we can win this game then who else is going to believe in us? So, yeah, I think the belief is strong.”
The Springboks are sending 13 top players to New Zealand instead of fielding them against Australia.
The list of stars preparing to play the All Blacks includes Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Faf de Klerk, Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole Mapimpi and Damian de Allende.
But Hodge wasn’t taking that personally – at least not in front of the cameras.
“No, they’ve got very strong depth in every position and look at the team they’ve put out on the weekend. It’s a very high quality team and it’s going to be a massive test for us…,” he said.
NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles unpack the Wallabies squad tasked with making history against the Springboks in Pretoria
“They’ve got a lot of depth in a lot of positions in the backline, probably the same in the forward park as well. That luxury of four, five, six guys in one position that can step up to the rigours of Test footy. So we’re expecting a tough battle…
“They’ve obviously named a very strong side and they’re going to be coming out firing in their first home Test of the year.”
South Africa’s split from Super Rugby in 2021 means that many of the younger Wallabies are yet to experience the hostile atmosphere at Loftus – a stadium that seats 52,000 and is perched at a lung-busting 1350m above sea level.
Hodge, 28, has painful memories of the 2016 Test in Pretoria, missing all three of his long range shots at goal in a 18-10 loss.
“Very loud, very parochial,” he recalled.
“A full house in Pretoria and everyone’s cheering the Springboks on.
“So it really just means that we’ve got to connect as a group, as the only Aussies out there and make sure that as a squad of 23 and also an extended squad, we’re coming together to do whatever we can to combat what’s probably going to be a pretty tough atmosphere to play in front of.
“It’s exciting to have the chance go to Pretoria and hopefully get a win… I’ve been practising a little bit this week, as we always do at altitude and the ball definitely flies a little bit further… it’s exciting for a kicker. Obviously you get a few extra metres, a bit of bonus at altitude, and we’ll see how it pans out on the weekend.”
Up front, Valetini’s battle with Springboks captain Duane Vermeulen looms as a compelling and potentially match defining head-to-head.
“They’re big boys, especially with Duane at the back of the scrum,” Valetini said.
“We’re thinking they’re just going to try and bully us with their forward pack. We’re ready. We’re ready for that.”
SPRINGBOKS (15-1): Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Manie Libbok, Cobus Reinach, Duane Vermeulen (c), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Marvin Orie, Jean Kleyn, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche
Reserves: Joseph Dweba, Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Evan Roos, Deon Fourie, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse
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