New Wallabies boss Eddie Jones has penned a lengthy open letter to Australian rugby fans on the opening weekend of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season. The tournament kicked off for Aussie teams with the Waratahs hosting the Brumbies in Sydney on Friday, with the Reds hosting the Hurricanes and the Force at home to the Rebels on Saturday.
Jones spoke at his media briefing unveiling last month about wanting crowds to attend franchise matches in large numbers and he has now followed up this desire by contacting fans via a letter circulated by rugby.co.au which he began by expressing his amazement that he was so suddenly back working in Australian rugby.
He had originally been contracted to take England through to the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, employment that would this weekend have seen him coaching the English versus Wales in Cardiff in the Guinness Six Nations.
However, he was abruptly dismissed from that role in early December after just a single Autumn Nations Series win in four Twickenham matches and Rugby Australia moved quickly after that to recruit Jones as an immediate effect replacement with the Wallabies for Dave Rennie through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Here is the Jones letter in full about being so suddenly in charge of the Wallabies and his take on the new club season: “Tonight, Australia’s Super Rugby players return to competition. The meaningful contest for Super Rugby competition points and Wallabies team positions begins. In a Rugby World Cup year, as a coach, you always expect to see more. You expect the best from the players.
“Being part of a World Cup-winning squad is a memory that can never be taken from you. An achievement that will be with you forever. But they are memories that must be earned by the effort and sacrifice you are prepared to bring. Enjoy the season, work hard and yes, I will be watching.”
