Hours out from the Wallabies’ departure for Rugby World Cup 2023, Australia’s campaign has been rocked with assistant coach Brad Davis quitting immediately due to “personal reasons”.
Announced as Eddie Jones’ attack coach in May, Davis has quit immediately and will no longer join the squad in France, instead he will return to the UK where he will deal with personal matters, Rugby Australia confirmed on Thursday morning.
Jones then fronted media at Sydney airport where the Wallabies were due to board their flight to France.
“Family reasons, mate… we had a discussion a couple of nights ago,” Jones said of the shock coaching news.
The Wallabies coach attempted to then play down the departure.
“Well, I think there’s an opportunity for us and I think we’ll improve our coaching staff… there’s a potential candidate ready to step up now, so as I said I think we’ll improve the coaching staff.”
Davis’ exits adds to the recent upheaval within the camp after Will Skelton was named the Wallabies’ fifth captain this year, and former captain Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper were both then sensationally omitted from the World Cup squad.
The Wallabies were farewelled by a small but passionate group of fans in Sydney on Wednesday afternoon, where Skelton admitted he was still adjusting to his new role.
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“I’ve leaned on the other boys a lot,” Skelton told reporters in Sydney.
“Slips (Slipper), Whitey (Nic White), Andrew Kellaway. They’ve helped me through this week.
“I’m still a bit awkward when I’m in the huddle. The boys are looking at me for that last say – something I’m not used to.
“But I really want to grow in this role and make it mine.”
Meanwhile, Fraser McReight revealed he had received well wishes from Hooper, whom the Queenslander had been preferred in part due to the former Wallabies’ skippers’ ongoing struggles with a calf injury.
“Yeah he messaged me this morning and said ‘go well, mate’, and I’ve had a few messages back and forth with him over the past few weeks. So we keep in touch and I’m sure that won’t be the last of it as well.”