Jones' blast of glories past

[travelling_gerry]

• By Iain Payten
• From: The Daily Telegraph
• Sat Oct 03 00:00:00 EST 2009 Sat Oct 03 00:00:00 EST 2009

Pep squad...Former Test coach Alan Jones and members of his 1984 team will be 'drafted' into the Wallabies camp. Picture: Patrick Hamilton Source: The Daily Telegraph




FORMER Test coach Alan Jones and legends of his 1984 Grand-Slam winning side will be drafted into Wallabies camp in coming weeks to address players on the significance of their historic UK tour.


After meeting New Zealand in Japan, the Wallabies will attempt to complete a clean-sweep of the Home Unions when they play England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales next month. The feat hasn't been attempted since Jones' side first achieved it 25 years ago, but such is the youth of Robbie Deans' current Wallabies squad that close to half weren't even born at the time.

Of the 43 squad members who will assemble on Monday, 18 weren't alive and another 15 were less than two years old.

So Jones and a group of Wallabies legends including Nick Farr-Jones, Simon Poidevin, David Campese and 1984 Test skipper Andrew Slack have been invited in by Deans to share their history and wise counsel with the next generation of Grand Slam tourists.




"We do hope to have the opportunity to catch up with some of that group, and Alan Jones as well," Deans confirmed yesterday.

"We will be looking to gain an insight from those who were there 25 years ago."
Given even the oldest Wallabies - Al Baxter and Stirling Mortlock - were only seven in 1984, a video of the tour is also being chased down by ARU officials.

It is believed that up to eight legends will be attending at the John Eales medal night on October 22 as special guests of honour.

The 1984 side hold a special place in Australian rugby history and Slack said yesterday he would attempt to stress to players the rare opportunity they were being given.

"In today's rugby world, there's a bit of sameness. Obviously the World Cup is a big deal every four years," Slack said.

"You want to win all your Tests - but in terms of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, this is it."

Test great Poidevin added: "From an Australian perspective it's only been done once before, and it was an amazing experience that stays with you for life.
"It's extremely important for the future of Australian rugby that the side perform consistently in every game on the tour.

"No doubt they are a very talented team but they are still to come together the way the public and past players would like to see.

"I'd urge the Wallabies of 2009 to take the spirit of the 1984 team and play attacking rugby and show the northern hemisphere what rugby is about."


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225782167883

[Burgs]

"a video of the tour is also being chased down by ARU officials."
I can send you the DVD Robbie...

"It is believed that up to eight legends will be attending at the John Eales medal night on October 22 as special guests of honour."
That's pretty piss weak, I would have expected that a majority of past Wallabies would go every year!