Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has called on the expertise of rugby league's 'Eighth Immortal' Andrew Johns to help his playmakers ahead of a bumper International calendar.
The Wallabies concluded their Sydney preparations with an open training session at Coogee Oval on Friday, heading to their Sanctuary Cove base before their opening Test on July 9 against South Africa.
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However, it's what was happening after the session that caught people's attention, with league legend Johns spotted with playmakers Bernard Foley and Carter Gordon, showing their some passing drills and instructions.
Naturally, the group continued to grow with the likes of James O'Connor, Ben Donaldson and Jock Campbell amongst others taking in the knowledge over the extended session.
“That’s the great thing about sport in Australia isn’t it? We’ve got this competitive tension but we also have great cooperation,” Jones told reporters.
“It’s not something we planned but when there’s an opportunity to mix we will. If we think there’s someone from rugby league that can help us, I certainly don’t have any discrimination against the sport.
"...We’ve known Andrew a long time and his ability to reach the nuances of first receiver play is second to none.”
Johns has been involved in Wallabies camps in the past, with Dave Rennie bringing in the retired halfback in 2020.
He was also called on by Eddie when Jones was the then-England boss in 2016, having nearly signed the Newcastle icon in 2006.
"We had him mate, but the board wouldn't approve the contract," Jones said on his pursuit of Johns.
"They've got the statue up of him in the immortals."
In a nice touch, every player wore their community club kit, with Jones decked out in Randwick apparel.
It's only fitting that Jones called on a fellow Wallabies and Randwick legend in Bob Dwyer for further advice earlier in the week ahead of a crucial year.
“Bob came in on Monday to have a look. Run straight, short passes. Good consistent messages and he’s right,” Jones added.
Jones will name a 33-player squad on Sunday for the Springboks and Argentina Tests along with his captain.
