Jones: I'd bet on France for WC
Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:41
Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has nominated France as the team to beat at next year's World Cup and believes the tournament will come too soon for the young Australian team.
Jones in now coaching in Japan and is impressed by the talent that Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is nurturing, but he doubts the team will be ready to claim rugby's greatest prize by next year.
"Maybe it's just going to be a bit too early for them," Jones told AAP.
"There's a number of good young players around, but maybe it's just one cycle too early for them."
"The nine and ten at Queensland are just outstanding," Jones added.
"[Will] Genia is a running halfback, he's also got a beautiful pass and with the quick ruck ball he's also been terrorising ruck defenders, and Quade's [Cooper] the best ten at varying his alignment.
"He varies the alignment on the speed of the ball; he flattens up when it's quick and he gets a little bit deeper when it's slow.
"It's only six or seven weeks into the [Super 14] competition but certainly Genia looks like he's a long-term prospect.
"It's their fourth year in the Super 14 now and I think it's very important to understand that they're now getting that maturity, starting to play at a high level."
The average age of the current wallabies line-up is 23, and Jones points out that most Test and Super rugby players peak at about 27, according to historical statistics.
"If I was a betting man, I'd back France [to win the World Cup]," Jones said.
"The only thing they're missing now is two jumping locks. If they are able to find at least one jumping lock, they'll be a very hard side to beat in New Zealand.
"It's been shown they play well there for some reason.
"You'd expect New Zealand to do well.
"South Africa, I think, will struggle this year but will be strong for the World Cup."
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