’Unable to be changed’: Eddie Jones‘ cryptic ‘other forces’ swipe after Wallabies exit

Eddie Jones delivered another farewell speech criticizing the state of the Australian code, claiming that “other forces at play” were the reason he had to resign from his Wallabies coaching position.

Jones stated he was forced to resign because he believed his role would be “compromised” in Wales to coach the Barbarians team, which will include eight players from the worst Wallabies World Cup campaign ever.

Despite connections to Japan interfering with the World Cup preparations, he said he left Rugby Australia without a job because the organization’s officials didn’t share his vision for the team and the sport.

“I had a plan going in and Rugby Australia had committed to what that looked like,” Jones remarked.

“The only thing I could do was resign when the unity of where we were heading wasn’t the same—not because Rugby Australia didn’t want it, but because there were other forces at work.”

One of the main reasons Jones selected such an inexperienced World Cup squad was, according to him, his desire to alter the system.

But his vision went unnoticed by officials.

“I went in there with a plan to change Australian rugby, which involves not only the team but the system to put it together. Of course, the results are disappointing.

“The system is to blame when you’ve played rugby ineffectively for 20 years. I entered with a plan to alter the system, but it is unchangeable.

“I wasn’t prepared to do this, and I felt like my job would be compromised for the next four years.”

Rob Leota and Rob Valetini from the Wallabies squad that played are among the six players that Jones has selected.

Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper, who Jones did not bring to the World Cup, will also be starting on Saturday along with props Taniela Tupou and Izaia Perese, who are also in Jones’s France squad.