Zac writes: I noticed that Jake White was full of glowing praise for Eddie Jones in a recent press conference. Just what is going on with the ‘Jake-and-Jones’ affair? Something doesn’t feel right to me.
Following the team’s defeat of Argentina, South African coach Jake White, used the press conference to pass on some wisdom to Australian Rugby:
“I’ll tell you what they’re lacking and he’s in our changing room. Eddie Jones is a clever man. He’s astute, with an unbelievable work ethic.”
“It’s invaluable having a guy like that to talk to for feedback. Not just on the field, but as a sounding board from the captain to the medical staff.”
“I don’t know that he would have found those players (forwards) if he had stayed in (with Australia), but maybe he would have put some of those changes in place.”
Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.
Do you have what it takes to become a sports writer? Write for the roar
Rugby Union articles
- Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide? (198)
- Will South African rugby force a Super 21 by 2018? (172)
- Brumbies 2012: New coach, new players, new attitude (128)
- Dan Parks and the unsolved questions of expat rugby (61)
- Pocock set to be named new Force skipper (56)
- Can the ‘Tahs win the battle after losing the Waugh? (51)
- What does the future hold for the Six Nations (50)
- Wales show Southern Hemisphere how to play running rugby (27)
- What opening matches of Six Nations taught us (18)
- Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide? (201)
- Clinical Chiefs cost rusty Rebels in Corio (9)
- Six Nations shows rugby is a parochial game at heart (5)
- Goose’s Super Rugby up-and-comer XV for 2012 (29)
- What does the future hold for the Six Nations (50)
- Explore:
Armchair Sportsfan said | October 15th 2007 @ 8:01pm | Report comment
having never worked with eddie jones myself, I can only speculate on this topic…so in that context…
having read many comments on him over the years, it appears that no one disputes his unbelievable work ethic and time spent analysing the game. On the flip side, all reports indicate that such a complete immersion in all things rugby make him a difficult person to work for. I know a number of people in the industry I now work in who are complete workoholics and have an amazing apitiude for thinking and talking about work related issues 24/7….I find these people tend to have very impressive strategic insights but their problemn then is that they expect everyone else around them should share that same passion and though process…thus when that person is in charge of things, tension can be created very quickly.
Sounds to me like eddie jones is infact the perfect person you want as a sounding board, as his knoweldge and analysis is second to none. But such a commitment and immersion in the game make him a poor manager (of time and people).
So I’m sure that his ability to add around the edges would be fantastic, but probably the kind of guy you don’t want in charge
Tobie Schalkwyk said | October 17th 2007 @ 10:16am | Report comment
I just want to say thanks to eddie for doing for our boks what he is doing
xoxoxoxo them all for now we love you eddie jones!
Just a Fan said | October 17th 2007 @ 9:21pm | Report comment
Eddie Jones took a HUGE amount of flack from the Aussie press and Wallaby camp when he went to help the Boks – almost all of it was just mean, nasty and childish really. And now the Wallaby early exit from the tournament has left them with egg on their faces – because now whether the Boks win the cup or not they still got further in the tournament than the Wallabies – and I think Jake is sticking in a knife or two…good on him! Thanks Eddie for your great contribution, and for maintaining dignity and integrity when your previous collegues embarrassed themselves on a global level.
Go Bokke!
Alphonse said | October 18th 2007 @ 8:11am | Report comment
Eddie Jones is a low dog. He got every ounce of criticism he deserved. There is no egg on Australian faces because South Africa remain in the RWC. In fact, good luck to them on the weekend. The truth of the matter is that the Boks were already on a roll after their most successful Super 14 competition and all Jones did was jump on the bandwagon. He did the same with the Brumbies and again with the Wallabies. He was at the helm for one of the most unsuccesful modern-era chapters in Australian rugby when we lost 8 of nine games in 2005. He coached Queensland to their worst Super 14 performance EVER in 2007. He was sacked as Australian coach and sacked as Queensland coach. He exhibits little or no loyalty. The sight of him on TV the other day in a Bok jumper with that stupid grin on his dial should be enough to qualify for his passport to be stamped “Do Not Return”. The success of the South African team boils down to Jake White and the current crop of players. Good luck to them. Good riddance to E.Jones.
Harry said | October 18th 2007 @ 8:23am | Report comment
Hear hear Alphonse. His cheap shots at Australian rugby from inside Jake White’s trouser pocket tell you all you need to know about Eddie’s style and character, and should be dismissed as a complete irrelevance.
Just a Fan said | October 18th 2007 @ 11:31am | Report comment
Alphonse and Harry – that type of short sightedness is the reason that Australia failed in the rugby world cup…Eddie might be a typcial Aussie with too much ego but he is still a huge asset to any rugby team. I agree the Boks were on their way to the final without Eddie – but he did bring in a different dimension to their game. They think out side the box a bit and are scoring more tries than they have before…. O’Neill and Connolly (you might as well add Eales to that) are a laughing stock because of the arrogant slurs they have made against Eddie, South Africa and England – yet who is laughing last – at least one of those three!
Alphonse said | October 18th 2007 @ 11:40am | Report comment
Just a Fan – there is no short sightedness. Eddie Jones record speaks for itself. He is an ordinary coach and a more ordinary individual. You should be thankful South African rugby hasn’t gone backwards with his involvement. Hopefully for your sake the fact that he is on the Bok’s side won’t be too big a handicap on the weekend.
stillmissit said | October 18th 2007 @ 11:51am | Report comment
Just a fan.
I suggest that the impact on your backs was already started by one D.Campese and Jones has come in and added what Australian backs have been doing for the last 8 years.
Jones or ‘Wang Eye’ as I believe the players refered to him was a total disaster for Ausralia but it takes time to happen. HE came to the Wallabies position with great fanfare and the stamp of approval from Rod McQueen our best coach, possibly ever. Jones is a cunning, devious little bastard who works on what others have done and slowly poisons it.
Having said all that I don’t feel any better, just a sadness at what we wasted in Australia. We did the greatest double downer of all time. Sacking O’Neil from the ARU and appointing Eddie Jones coach. It’s been pretty well down hill ever since.
Harry said | October 18th 2007 @ 4:49pm | Report comment
Jones played a large part in the downward direction of Australian rugby since 2001. Good luck to him in his career as a professional coach and with South Africa, but like I said above, its pretty poor form to take potshots and knock your previous employers and comrades who looked after you for years, be it in any endeavour- sport, business, family.
Just a Fan said | October 18th 2007 @ 5:24pm | Report comment
Actually Harry – it was the previous employers and comrades that took pot shots at him – Eddie actually kept quite until the Wallabies part in the tournement ended….and still he hasnt become mean like his “previous employers and comrades” THe Wallabies prbolem wasn’t Eddie Jones, because John Connolly has faired much worse – it is the fact that the core of excellent players reached and passed their peak and younger players have to be blooded still.
But anyway Go the Bokke.