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Sydney - The Wallabies are on the improve, but next year's World Cup in New Zealand might come too soon for them to win, suspects former Australian coach Eddie Jones.
Jones, who coached the Wallabies to the 2003 World Cup final, praised Robbie Deans for the style of game he has Australia playing since taking over two years ago.
''The head coach dictates the style of play and Robbie has been very successful,'' Jones said while watching the Waratahs train for Saturday's Super 14 game against the Blues of Auckland.
Jones is unsure, however, whether the Wallabies are collectively mature enough in mind and body to beat New Zealand, the Springboks - who won in 2007 - and France, who won the Six Nations and the team he rates as favourite to win the World Cup.
''[For] Australia, maybe it's going to be a little bit too early for them,'' Jones said. ''There are a number of good young players around, but maybe it's just one cycle too early for them.''
Jones, the general manager of Japanese club Suntory, said national coaches had no control in aligning the development of players with a World Cup. He cited Arsenal football manager Arsene Wenger when he was sounded out for the England job. ''He said you don't control the players you have as a national coach,'' Jones said. ''It's very true.
''You have all these good young players coming through. Look at this Waratahs [squad with] the average age of 23. Now, they are going to be at their best when their average age is 27. I'd imagine at Super 14 you probably need an average age of 27 and an average 40 caps per player. ''You don't control that as a national coach. You just get the players coming through. That is what I am saying. It just might be a little early for Australia.''
Jones is excited about the Australian players now developing, especially the ''outstanding'' Reds No.9 and No.10 pairing of Will Genia and Quade Cooper - both new Wallabies.
''Genia [because he is] a running halfback,'' Jones said. ''He has also got a beautiful pass and with the quick ruck ball he has been terrorising ruck defenders.
''Quade is the best 10 at varying his alignment. He varies his alignment on speed of the ball.''
Jones likens Cooper to cricket great Shane Warne for his ability to focus on a game even when surrounded by controversy. Cooper faces a court hearing on a burglary charge.
''He is very similar [to Warne] in that he may have a lot of problems off-field, but when he gets on the field it's all about rugby,'' Jones said.
Jones, who coached the Wallabies to the 2003 World Cup final, praised Robbie Deans for the style of game he has Australia playing since taking over two years ago.
''The head coach dictates the style of play and Robbie has been very successful,'' Jones said while watching the Waratahs train for Saturday's Super 14 game against the Blues of Auckland.
Jones is unsure, however, whether the Wallabies are collectively mature enough in mind and body to beat New Zealand, the Springboks - who won in 2007 - and France, who won the Six Nations and the team he rates as favourite to win the World Cup.
''[For] Australia, maybe it's going to be a little bit too early for them,'' Jones said. ''There are a number of good young players around, but maybe it's just one cycle too early for them.''
Jones, the general manager of Japanese club Suntory, said national coaches had no control in aligning the development of players with a World Cup. He cited Arsenal football manager Arsene Wenger when he was sounded out for the England job. ''He said you don't control the players you have as a national coach,'' Jones said. ''It's very true.
''You have all these good young players coming through. Look at this Waratahs [squad with] the average age of 23. Now, they are going to be at their best when their average age is 27. I'd imagine at Super 14 you probably need an average age of 27 and an average 40 caps per player. ''You don't control that as a national coach. You just get the players coming through. That is what I am saying. It just might be a little early for Australia.''
Jones is excited about the Australian players now developing, especially the ''outstanding'' Reds No.9 and No.10 pairing of Will Genia and Quade Cooper - both new Wallabies.
''Genia [because he is] a running halfback,'' Jones said. ''He has also got a beautiful pass and with the quick ruck ball he has been terrorising ruck defenders.
''Quade is the best 10 at varying his alignment. He varies his alignment on speed of the ball.''
Jones likens Cooper to cricket great Shane Warne for his ability to focus on a game even when surrounded by controversy. Cooper faces a court hearing on a burglary charge.
''He is very similar [to Warne] in that he may have a lot of problems off-field, but when he gets on the field it's all about rugby,'' Jones said.
