Cones, bibs and Gilbert balls might be typical rugby training aids, but Wallabies coach Eddie Jones chose a slightly different one for the side’s camp on the Gold Coast: a cattle prod.
The charismatic 63-year-old was conducting his first team camp since returning to the Wallabies in January, as the side prepares for the World Cup in France over September and October.
Well aware of his penchant for intensity and relentlessly high standards, players admitted on Monday morning there was some ‘angst’ in the group, saying the prospect of meeting Jones for the first time was ‘nerve-wracking’.
The nerve factor would have been ratcheted up big time when Jones brandished a bright orange cattle prod in the first team meeting.
But it wasn’t to use on or scare away the kangaroos that kept hopping through the training field; it was to give a metaphorical kick up the behind to out-of-form winger Suliasi Vunivalu, whose inclusion in the squad was questioned by many – including this publication.
Eddie Jones ignored the usual training aids at the Wallabies camp on Monday morning for a slightly more left-field option: a cattle prod
Fortunately the visiting kangaroos at the picturesque Sanctuary Cove Country Club on the Gold Coast managed to avoid Jones and his electric device
Jones bought a cattle prod to the camp as a metaphorical kick up the behind for out-of-form Reds winger Suliasi Vunivalu (pictured)
Michael Hooper makes a run as the Wallabies got together for their first camp under Jones
Despite being dropped by the Reds after their horror start to the Super Rugby Pacific season, Jones had no qualms about including the two-time NRL premiership winner with the Storm.
Jones is a huge fan of rugby league players and coaches, and has said in no uncertain terms that he is targeting those with league experience, and has already secured Rooster superstar Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s stunning defection.
Acknowledging the current deficiencies in Vunivalu’s game, Jones went into bat for his big winger.
‘I’ve seen Vunivalu play for Melbourne Storm. I’ve seen him play in NRL. I’ve seen bits and pieces of his play for Australia A, and bits and pieces of what he’s done for Queensland,’ he told reporters.
‘There’s a lot of gaps in his game at the moment. But our job as coaches is to help him fill the gaps. So if you’ve got a cattle prod at training get it out, it might help him!’
Ever the mischievous jokester, Jones walked into the squad’s first team meeting at the stunning Sanctuary Cove Country Club on the Gold Coast holding the orange cattle prod and asked: ‘Where’s Suli?’
Talk about breaking the tension.
Fortunately for Vunivalu, the prod lay unused behind the goalposts as the squad trained, but Jones’ ploy no doubt had the desired effect.
Jones had a one-on-one chat with Vunivalu after training, as he did with Waratahs whiz kid Max Jorgensen, veteran scrum-half Nic White and hulking backrower Rob Valentini.
He also sat down on the grass with a group of the team’s leaders, including Michael Hooper, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Nic White, Andrew Kellaway and Jed Holloway as the Wallabies look to rebound from a rollercoaster 2022.
Bizarrely, prop Taniela ‘Tongan Thor’ Tupou was spotted wearing a Dolphins NRL jersey at training, perhaps to curry favour with Jones and his obsession for rugby league.
Hulking prop Taniela ‘Tongan Thor’ Tupou was bizarrely spotted wearing a Dolphins NRL jersey at training
Eddie Jones sat with Wallabies leaders Michael Hooper, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Nic White, Andrew Kellaway and Jed Holloway after training as the side looks to rebound from a rollercoaster 2022 under Dave Rennie
Ryan Lonergan cut a casual figure in a backwards baseball cap at the camp, but admitted to being very nervous prior to his first session under Jones
Halves hopeful Ryan Lonergan was also in action after his first Wallabies call-up, but told reporters he was full of butterflies.
‘There’s a bit of angst, we don’t really know what to expect,’ he said on Monday before Jones had met up with the players.
‘You can be as ready as you can, but we don’t really know what’s coming [during the camp].
‘It is quite nerve-wracking. You’ve got to try to get the right first impression there.
‘So many coaches have different standards around training or off-field stuff, so it’s trying to get a gauge on what’s expected.
‘The first training session he’ll use as a first opportunity to show what he expects from us. That’s why I’m so nervous.’
The squad will continue to build their cohesion and combinations for the next two days on the Gold Coast, before round nine of Super Rugby kicks off on Friday night.
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