Edgy Wallabies bracing for ‘intense’ first camp under Eddie Jones

Australia’s Rugby World Cup hopefuls are bracing for an “intense” first Wallabies training camp under no-nonsense new coach Eddie Jones.

Thirty-three players will assemble on the Gold Coast on Monday while another seven ruled out with injury or concussion plus overseas-based stars Rory Arnold, Tom Banks, Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley, Marika Koroibete, Samu Kerevi and Will Skelton will zoom in remotely for team meetings.

With Jones already having made some surprise selection calls, those heading to Sanctuary Cove for the three-day camp admit to feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation.

“Obviously excited to be in the mix in the squad but, at the same time, it’s a different coach, different vibe, different set-up,” said Western Force prop Tom Robertson. “So I don’t really know what to expect. I’ve been focusing on Super Rugby so it’s all going to be new.

“I had a chat with him before the Hurricanes game. He gave me a few things to work on around the field and a bit of a rev-up for the next couple of games. He was good to talk to and he’s been reaching out to a lot of the players, which I really respect. You have those one-on-one chats which has been good.”

That seems to be the general consensus as Jones keeps every player hoping to make to France 2023 on their toes.

“It’s everyone’s first one with Eddie. Seriously, I don’t know what to expect,” said NSW Waratahs utility forward Ned Hanigan. “I just know we’re going to get up there and there’s going to be excitement around it and he’ll have everybody signed on for those two, three days up there.

“It will be pretty intense, I can imagine. I think it’s pretty clear what Eddie wants: he’s ready for blokes to work.”

Hanigan was one of the players ruled out of attending the