Only a week ago, Wallabies rugby coach Eddie Jones was described by Booker Prize-winning author Thomas Keneally as either a lunatic or a visionary.
To the great relief of Australian rugby fans, the latter seems more likely after Jones engineered a stunning 22-10 semifinal upset of favourites New Zealand on Saturday.
Rugby
league lover Keneally echoed the thoughts of many when he told the Sydney Morning Herald last week he found it hard to accept Jones' assertions that everything would be all right, that he had a plan and all would soon fall into place.
Keneally had logic on his side. Australia's record this year was far from convincing, losing four of five tests - including two against New Zealand - before the World Cup.
Jones' mantra that everything would come good was wearing thin.
Former Australia coach Bob Dwyer plucked a then unknown Phil Kearns out of Randwick reserves and made him Wallaby hooker ahead of Jones, who told Dwyer he had ended his career in one stroke.
Dwyer's team went on to win the 1991 World Cup. Jones soon admitted Dwyer's decision was right and set his own sights on coaching.
Dwyer has been among Jones' harshest critics this year, particularly over the way the Australian backline has constantly changed, but he was among the first to offer congratulations.
"All of them came up trumps," Dwyer said.
- NZPA
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