Sport

Jones tipped to continue Rennie's style with Wallabies

09:53 am on 23 April 2023

England coach Eddie Jones Photo: Photosport

Waratahs forward Jed Holloway believes Australia coach Eddie Jones is looking to build on the work done by Dave Rennie rather than rip up his predecessor's playbook after replacing the New Zealander at the helm of the Wallabies earlier this year.

Holloway was a member of the 33-man squad called up last week by former England and Japan coach Jones for his first training camp since he was appointed as Rennie's replacement in January.

"(Rennie) built the foundation to get us to where we're at, he just needs to bring that edge," Holloway said after the three-day session on the Gold Coast.

"(Jones) is not trying to change the whole world, he just knows that I can bring this vision and inspires the guys that we're going to get results.

"I have no doubt from what I saw over the last three days and the way the group grew, the culture that started to come together, that we're in a good place and on the right track."

Jones was snapped up by Rugby Australia six weeks after he was fired by England with only eight months to go to the Rugby World Cup in France, which kicks off in September, as Rennie paid the price for the Wallabies' poor form.

The Australians will play their first game under Jones against world champions South Africa in The Rugby Championship in July and Holloway is relishing the experience of featuring under the charismatic 63-year-old.

"He's really clear about the vision that he has," said Holloway.

"He pumps guys full of confidence about the talent that we have in Australia and he wants guys to know that we're going for it and that we can do it.

"He's a guy who's been around for years and years, seen everything, not just rugby.

"He loves his rugby league, loves his soccer, I don't know if he sleeps because the amount of stuff that he's watching that he brings up and constantly referring back to.

"He's got a wealth of experience and (I'm) really keen to learn off him."

- Reuters