Wallabies greats warn current players they won’t know what’s hit them when Eddie Jones takes over

Former Wallabies star Matt Giteau has warned current players that they won’t know what’s hit them when Eddie Jones takes over as coach, while Tim Horan has called the shock appointment ‘a risk’.

The 62-year-old has officially signed a long-term deal with Australia to become their head coach once again, just weeks after being sacked by England.

Wallabies great Matt Giteau has warned current players that they won’t know what’s hit them when Eddie Jones (pictured) takes over as coach, while Tim Horan has called the shock appointment ‘a risk’

Eddie Jones (pictured coaching the Wallabies in 2003) has officially signed a long-term deal with Australia to become their head coach just weeks after being sacked by England

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 The 62-year-old left Twickenham last month but he has now been appointed as the Wallabies coach, with Dave Rennie set to be put on gardening leave.

Jones coached the Wallabies from 2001 to 2005, and has been in charge of Japan and England for the past decade.

Giteau, who was handed his first cap by Jones back in 2002, let current players know that his former boss might shock some of them.

He tweeted: ‘I feel for Rennie but at the same time if anyone can turn things around quickly it’s Eddie. Some of the boys won’t know what’s hit them.’

Giteau (pictured), who was handed his first cap by Jones back in 2002, let current players know that his former boss might shock some of them.

Wallabies legend Tim Horan also made his thoughts known on the appointment.  

‘Eddie Jones as new Wallabies coach … brave and has some risk,’ Horan tweeted. ‘But maybe a risk worth taking considering the Wallabies current win-loss ratio.

‘Need a Bledisloe Cup [within 2 years] and Rugby World Cup semi and Lions win to justify the decision. Strap yourself in for the ride.’

Ex-Wallabies star Drew Mitchell said he felt like history was repeating itself, but everyone should get behind the team.

‘It reminds me a lot of 2019,’ Mitchell tweeted. ‘6-8 months before a World Cup, Rugby AU’s leadership lose faith in the current coach. [In] 2019 they appointed a selection panel because they didn’t have faith in [Michael] Cheika. 2023 they sack Rennie.

Wallabies legend Tim Horan also made his thoughts known on the appointment, calling it both brave and risky

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‘At what point does the focus turn on the people who make the appointments in the first place? These tweets aren’t about my thoughts on who or who shouldn’t be the man in charge. To some extent, feels like history is repeating itself.

‘Obviously plenty of layers to this and more will come out in the wash. Either way, let’s get behind our Wallabies.’

Jones’ contract is will run until 2027, incorporating two World Cups and the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour.

His appointment sets up the possibility of an enticing clash against Steve Borthwick’s England later this year, when the two nations could meet in the quarter finals in France.

Jones’ contract is will run until 2027, incorporating two World Cups and the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour (Jones is pictured at a Wallabies training session in 2004)

‘It is going to be an immense period for Australian Rugby – as a proud Australian, it is a great honour to be able to come home and lead the national team during these years,’ Jones said.

‘The Wallabies squad is a really talented group of players with good depth – if we can have everyone fit and healthy going into the World Cup this year, I am confident that we can go to France and break the 24-year drought of winning the Rugby World Cup.’