Share

Former coach: Worst Wallabies team in 60 years

Cape Town - Former Wallabies coach Alan Jones says the current Australia team is the worst the country has had in 60 years.

Michael Cheika’s Wallabies have won just three of 11 Tests in 2018, losing at home to Ireland and Argentina and slumping to an equal-worst seventh in the official World Rugby rankings after last weekend’s defeat to Wales in Cardiff.

In a column for The Australian, Jones - who coached Australia between 1984 and 1987 and steered them to 23 wins in 30 Tests - compared the current squad to the infamous 1958 team that won just two out of 11 matches.

“This is our worst season of Test rugby since 1958. We have suffered home soil losses to Ireland for the first time since 1979 and to Argentina for the first time since 1983.

“The attack, under assistant coach Stephen Larkham, has produced the worst results per game since 1983. The game last weekend was almost unwatchable,” Jones wrote.

Cheika has been backed to fulfil his contract until the end of next year’s Rugby World Cup by Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle.

But Jones added that Castle “knows little about the game”.

Jones also proposed a new coaching staff, headed by current Scotland director of rugby Scott Johnson, with Cardiff head coach John Mulvihill, Scotland defence coach Matthew Taylor and schoolboy coach Andrew Blades as his assistants.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
loading... Live
Lamontville Golden Arrows 1
Royal AM 0
loading... Live
Sheffield United 0
Burnley 0
loading... Live
Luton Town 0
Brentford 0
loading... Live
Benetton 12
Dragons 0
loading... Live
Lions 22
Leinster 0
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1818 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1781 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE