When a team isn’t winning, the critics come out in full force, and Eddie Jones knows this better than anyone.After a terrible start to his second spell in charge of the Wallabies, Eddie Jones says he experienced “a long day at the office” in Pretoria. Photographer: Kim Luce-Brown/EPA
“They’ve changed their game a little bit,” Wallabies coach Eddie Jones told the press. They’re a very high-kicking team, similar to France in style.
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“On Wednesday night, I was having a wonderful dinner in Paris when a French man walked up to me and said, “I love how France play now. I like how they play so much better now that they don’t kick the ball. Their kicking ability is unparalleled.
Everyone has an opinion on how their favorite teams perform. When you’re on top, people look at you favorably.
Georgia’s style of play is quite similar to France’s, and ten Georgians currently compete in French professional rugby.
Because of the heavy French influence in their culture, the French influence means that they kick a lot, contest hard in the breakdown, and have developed great counter-attacking skills.
I won’t bother trying to say who the 15 or the 9 are, but they’re excellent attackers.
Despite maintaining some of their reputation as a “hard scrummaging, hard mauling, gritty team,” Georgia’s play has evolved significantly.
Team Australia Rugby 2023 World Cup
Props
Angus Bell, age 22 (New South Wales Waratahs), has 23 Tests under his belt.
Melbourne Rebels fullback Pone Fa’amausili (26, 5 Tests)
Test debutant Zane Nonggorr, 22, of the Queensland Reds.
23-year-old ACT Brumbies forward Blake Schoupp (uncapped)
Slipper, James (age 34, ACT Brumbies; 131 Tests).
Taniela Tupou, age 27 (Queensland Reds) with 48 international appearances.
Hookers
24-year-old Matt Faessler (1 Test for the Queensland Reds)
David Porecki, age 30, of the New South Wales Waratahs, has played in 14 Tests.
Melbourne Rebels fullback Jordan Uelese (26, 18 Tests)
Locks
Grizzled veteran Richie Arnold (4 Tests, 33, Stade Toulousain)
Nick Frost, age 23 (12 Tests for the ACT Brumbies),
Matt Philip (29, Melbourne Rebels) has appeared in 28 Tests.
31-year-old La Rochelle native and 28-Test captain Will Skelton
One of the last in line
22-year-old NSW Waratahs center Langi Gleeson has appeared in three Tests.
Tom Hooper (age 22, ACT Brumbies; three Tests played)
Rob Leota (16 Tests, 26 years old, Melbourne Rebels)
Queensland Reds’ 24-year-old Fraser McReight (12 Tests)
Ruckman Rob Valetini (24, ACT Brumbies, 34 Tests)
Scrum-halves
Uncapped 27-year-old winger Issak Fines-Leleiwasa of the Western Force.
Tate, vice captain; 25 Tests; Queensland Reds; he/him/them; vice captain; Tate; vice captain; Tat; vice captain;
At the age of 33, Nic White has played in 63 Tests for the ACT Brumbies.
Fly-halves
Gordon, Carter, age 22 (Melbourne Rebels) (4 Tests)
Centres
New South Wales Waratahs loose end Lalakai Foketi (28, 5 Tests)
Samu Kerevi (29 years old, 45 Tests, Urayasu D-Rocks)
Izaia Perese, age 26 (5 Tests for NSW Waratahs)
Queensland Reds winger Jordan Petaia (23 years old, 27 Tests)
Auxiliary Backs
Max Jorgensen, age 18, New South Wales Waratahs; no caps.
Melbourne Rebels’ Andrew Kellaway (27), who has played in 23 Tests,
31-year-old Saitama Wild Knights forward Marika Koroibete (55 Tests)
Currently, Mark Nawaqanitawase (22, NSW Waratahs) has played in six Tests.
Suliasi Vunivalu (age 27, Queensland Reds; two Test appearances).
Utility
Ben Donaldson, 23 (NSW Waratahs, 2 Tests),
Test appearance for Josh Kemeny (24, Melbourne Rebels).
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