The weight of expectation for Australia’s first World Cup success on home soil rests firmly on the shoulders of Eddie Jones, who was seen as the natural successor to Rod Macqueen as Wallabies coach in July 2001.
Jones, whose first test in charge was the 20-15 Tri Nations defeat by South Africa, had been named Coach of the Year for the second season running, having taken the ACT Brumbies to two successive Super 12 finals, winning the title in 2001.
The 43 year old, who had replaced Wallabies bound Macqueen in 1998, took his first steps as a coach with his former Randwick club in 1994 and just two years later was appointed the Japan national coach.
He spent a year as head coach of Suntory, a leading team in the Japanese National Championship, before returning home in 1998 and going on to coach Australia ‘A’ twice before his appointment as national coach.
A hooker in his playing days, Jones represented Matraville High School, Randwick, New South Wales and the Australian Barbarians before retiring to concentrate on his profession as a teacher and school principal.
The first two months of his tenure saw Australia retain the Tri Nations trophy and Bledisloe Cup.