Wallabies' Jones and Bellamy on the same page: Ryles

Jason Ryles has flown out of Sydney to link with the Wallabies for their Rugby World Cup campaign. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Wallabies assistant coach Jason Ryles says his new boss Eddie Jones shares similar coaching philosophies to Craig Bellamy, who he played and worked under at the Melbourne Storm.

Ryles flew out of Sydney on Sunday to link up with the Wallabies in Paris ahead of the Rugby World Cup, which gets underway in France on September 8.

He got a call-up last week after the shock resignation of Brad Davis, although Ryles won't be taking over as attack coach, instead helping implement the systems already put in place by Jones and ex-Wallabies attack guru Scott Wisemantel.

Ryles was previously employed by Jones in 2020 and worked during England's Autumn series but cut short his contract after six months due to coronavirus travel restrictions.

The 44-year-old felt it would be a smooth transition, given his history with Jones, who invited him to the final of the 2019 World Cup in Japan, when England fell to South Africa.

"It's not foreign to me that's for sure - Eddie has a way of doing things and has his beliefs and it's been pretty successful for a long time," Ryles told AAP.

"I'm excited to get over there and be behind the scenes again."

After playing more than 200 games in the NRL including two seasons with the Storm in 2012-13, Ryles's first foray into elite level coach came with Melbourne under Bellamy back in 2016.

He will re-join the Storm post World Cup, knocking back the St George Illawarra head coach role to again work under the Melbourne mentor.

Both Bellamy and Jones have a reputation as a fire-brand - with journalists in the Wallabies firing line last week - but Ryles said they had other qualities in common.

"They have different personalities but their work ethic and their insistence on doing the little things really well is similar," he said.

"They work hard but their players work just as hard, which is something that they have in common.

"It's their intensity at training - is probably the best way to describe it - they're both strong believers in that."

There are two former Storm wingers in the Wallabies World Cup squad in Marika Koroibete and Suliasi Vunivalu who Ryles knew, while there's another ex-NRL player in their ranks in defence coach Brett Hodgson.

"I played State of Origin with Hodgo (Hodgson) and then played against him often, and have had a bit to with him since we've been coaching so I'm really familiar with him," he said.

Arriving in France on Friday, a group of Wallabies players made a visit to the Australian National Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux and laid a jersey for former Test playmaker William Tasker, who lost his life in France during World War I.

Vice-captain Tate McDermott said it was a "special day" before they started preparations for their warm-up game against France next Sunday (Monday AEST).

"Just being at this place, the memorial, it puts a bit of perspective back around just how lucky we are to be here and do what we're doing at the moment," McDermott said.

"The biggest thing is an understanding of who we represent ... we're over here doing what we love but these guys were fighting for our freedom of everyone back home so we're reaping the rewards of what they did.

"It's emotional being somewhere so special to Australians all around the world."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store