‘The biggest risk’: Eddie Jones backs Wallabies to win next two World Cups

Coach Eddie Jones believes the “young players” in Australia are good enough to help the Wallabies win the next two Rugby World Cups, including the tournament on home soil in 2027.

The Wallabies announced their 33-man squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup on Thursday evening, and there were some shocking omissions.

As reported by Australian media outlets earlier in the day, former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and veteran Quade Cooper were expected to miss out. These reports proved to be true.

Injured centre Len Ikitau has also failed to overcome a devastating injury, and loose forwards Jed Holloway and Pete Samu were also omitted from the new-look squad.

Coach Jones has gone in a different direction.

The Wallabies will turn to generation next when they travel to France later this month, with 25 players preparing for their first World Cup campaign.

“We think the young players are the players that are going to take Australian rugby forward,” Jones told reporters on Thursday evening.

“This squad’s good enough to win this World Cup and possibly go on and win the next World Cup so that’s the advantage of picking young guys.

“They all deserve their opportunities, it’s not like we’re handing them the jersey on a platter.

“They’ll bring energy and a lot of ambition and enthusiasm to the team.”

The Wallabies have picked three uncapped players in their World Cup squad, including teen sensation Max Jorgensen – who will turn 19 about a week before the Wallabies Test against Georgia.

Brumbies prop Blake Schoupp and Western Force halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa could also potentially make their debuts in Wallaby gold on the biggest stage in rugby union.

Australia is coming off a heartbreaking loss in Dunedin. After racing out to a commanding 14-point lead during the first term, the visitors went on to lose 23-20 to the heavily favoured All Blacks.

It was the Wallabies’ fourth loss in a row under coach Jones.

“I think the biggest risk is not the take the risk. These are a very good squad of players, we’ve got plenty of talent here, but what we don’t have is a team who can fight for 80 minutes,” Jones added.

“We showed against New Zealand last week (that) we can dominate a very good New Zealand team for 40 minutes, but then we lack that little bit of ‘teamness’, that little bit of toughness under pressure.

“That’s what we’re gonna find over the next three or four weeks.”

Jones has only coached four Test matches this season, but the 63-year-old officially unveiled his fifth captain of the year on Thursday.

Towering lock Will Skelton, who plays his club rugby in France with European powerhouse La Rochelle, is set to become the 88^th captain of the Wallabies.

“We went for the biggest bloke in the team,” Jones joked. “It was easy.

“Nah we want to change the team. My job is to come here and change the team, and part of that is changing the leadership – the way the team’s led.

“Will’s a good man, a good team man, he’s played in a lot of winning teams in Europe and he brings that almost common touch to the team to bring them together.

“Of course, he’s going to be well supported by Tate (McDermott) as vice-captain. We’ve got senior guys in (James) Slips, Nic White and Andrew Kellaway to support him, and Samu Kerevi.”

The Wallabies take on World Cup hosts France in a warmup Test later this month. It’s their final match before opening their tournament against minnows Georgia next month.