Rugby: Eddie Jones is heading for the All Blacks and the Bledisloe Cup ahead of the World Cup

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones is targeting a Bledisloe Cup series victory over the All Blacks in Dunedin in August.

The Australian coach made his first appearance in the media as the boss began his five-year contract, saying the Wallabies will join the All Blacks when they square off in the first test in Melbourne on July 29, followed by the return test in the South Island a week later.

The Wallabies last held the trophy in 2002.

“I think they (the All Blacks) are in a pretty good place but we’ll come after them,” Jones explained.

“We’re chasing them down the street. That’s a big sign for us because we know that, as Australians, if we can take on New Zealand, we’re in a good position to take on the World Cup, so we’d definitely be first.

“We’ve got them a home game in Melbourne where we hope to have a sell-out crowd, which will be a great occasion, and we know Melbourne Cricket Ground is the ground where Australia traditionally play.

“They (New Zealand) always have good talent coming through and they have a good coach in Ian Foster (but) if we can take the lead in the series and get back to Dunedin…what a fantastic place to get the Bledisloe Cup. “This is a picture in my head.”

Jones, who says he is “not the Messiah”, began his second week in charge of Australia two weeks after the new coach was announced.

63-year-old Jones coached the Wallabies to the 2003 World Cup final, which they lost to England, before being fired in 2005.

But he has ruled out a return until 2027 following the firing of Dave Rennie, who led the Wallabies to winning in just five of the 2022 14 Test matches.

Rennie is contracted until the end of the World Cup, which will take place on Sept. 8. begins But Australian rugby officials were moved to sign Jones when he was sacked as England coach in early December after a poor recent run in England – a record six from 2022. losses, one draw and five wins in 12 tests.

“What wins World Cups and people’s hearts are teams that play with spirit,” Jones said Tuesday. “We want pride in Australian rugby again. That’s the main thing.

“It is necessary to win the World Cup. If we win, things change for rugby in Australia. About six teams are separated by a cigarette paper. It is so tight.”

Jones has won the Six Nations three times with England and has won 18 in a row during his generally tortuous tenure, which has included several Wallabies.

Australia has won the World Cup twice, after New Zealand and South Africa three each.

“I’m not the Messiah,” Jones said. “We’re all in this together, but sometimes we just need someone to beat the drum.”

– When AP