Even victory might not be enough to save Australia who need to win with a bonus point and by more than seven points to leave them in control of their own destiny. The prospect of three teams finishing on 16 points is possible, but the Wallabies will need to dig deep to overcome a team they used to have a hex over.
It has been a miserable year for Jones for whom little has gone right since England won the series against Australia in the summer of 2012. He has been involved in 11 Tests since then and overseen two victories, against Japan last November and Georgia this month. He has tried to retain his ebullience, but his decision to jettison experience for youthful exuberance has backfired and injuries to key players have left his side on the brink.
“If we do not win, crisis will turn into unmitigated disaster and we will see something close to the collapse of faith in Rugby Australia, its administration, coaches and players,” said the former Wallabies’ wing David Campese. “That will be a pretty sad day for the sport. To say the pressure is on them is the understatement of the year.”
Other former internationals have weighed in to question why Dave Rennie was sacked 10 months ago after narrow away defeats to France and Ireland, although the European tour included a first loss to Italy, and Jones is battling to remain in charge of the hosts of the 2027 World Cup. He needs a victory like never before.
He chose one specialist outside-half in his squad, Carter Gordon, but the 22-year-old, who won his first cap against South Africa less than three months ago, has been dropped to the bench for the visit of Wales having been hooked 10 minutes into the second-half against Fiji last weekend moments after his mistake led to the islanders’ try.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 24, 2023 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 24, 2023 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.
Galthie turns his sights to the future
FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.