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The fallout from Eddie Jones’ England sacking continues to dominate rugby news across the world with speculation rife on his next destination and details emerging on why the seismic decision was made.
On Thursday, the UK Telegraph, linked the Jones dismissal to his recent comments bashing English rugby’s reliance on the private school system.
Jones had told a reporter that England should “blow the whole thing up” in regards to their school ties – but the Telegraph says that blew up in his own face.
“When you take a sledgehammer to the foundations of a sport, then it may not be a surprise when you encounter quite some resistance, with that attack on public schools the most notable of all,” the Telegraph reported.
Jones was quite direct in his initial interview in August, telling the i newspaper that modern players “work hard but they only know what they know.
“If you have only been in a system where you get to 15, you have a bit of rugby ability and then go to Harrow, then for two years you do nothing but play rugby, everything’s done for you. You have this closeted life.
“When things go to crap on the field, who’s going to lead, because these blokes have never had experience of it? I see it as a big thing.
“When we are on the front foot we are the best in the world. When we are not, our ability to find a way to win, our resolve, is not as it should be.”
Jones was lauded in some areas for his rallying cry to widen the net for less privileged players in the English game.
“But the vehicle he chose to make that statement – attacking private schools – was palpably wrong.” wrote the Telegraph.
“If anything, Jones should have been lauding how valuable those institutions have been in developing generations of English talent, rather than laying into them.
“But what was perhaps most striking was the gusto with which Jones, unprompted, zeroed in on his target.”
As reported by The Roar on Wednesday there is an appetite within Rugby Australia to have Jones return to the Wallabies – perhaps even before the World Cup.
On Thursday CEO Andy Marinos told the Sydney Morning Herald that Rennie “is contracted through to the World Cup and will be the coach, and that’s our position going forward.”
It echoes a similar statement from chairman Hamish McLennan ahead of the Bledisloe Cup match in Melbourne – and yet the stories linger.
One scenario raised has been Jones returning to Australia in a Director of Rugby role, but few who have an insight into Rennie’s character think the Kiwi would find that a palatable situation, and could force his hand. Rennie has said he wanted his future decided before the World Cup.
Former Wallaby Simon Poidevin – who spent some time with his fellow Randwick alumni on England’s July tour – is pushing for his friend’s return in some capacity
“I think RA have made it clear they respect Dave Rennie taking the team through to the 2023 World Cup,” Poidevin told the SMH.
Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
“That doesn’t stop a guy of Eddie’s experience, like he did [at the 2007 World Cup] with South Africa, coming in to provide his expertise. He helped the Springboks get that victory. That’s an option which Rugby Australia should be thinking about with Eddie.
“His most valuable input would be a sounding board for Dave Rennie and his relatively young coaching staff. He’s been through it all. He knows the challenges of knockout tournaments. In France it’s going to be highly intense given the number of quality teams around the world now.”
Jones meanwhile has reportedly had offers to coach Georgia, who are in Australia’s pool at the World Cup, and has been linked with the United States.
Marinos meanwhile released details of the review into the Wallabies’ injury-hit season.
The main review will be conducted by former Olympic rower Bo Hansen, who runs a leading consultancy in sports high performance. Hansen helped review the Wallabies’ 2019 season and Rugby World Cup campaign.
Another review, into the Wallabies’ injury toll, will be conducted by former World Rugby chief medical officer Dr Martin Raftery and high-performance consultant Glenn Stewart.
Leicester head coach Steve Borthwick is set to replace Jones at the England helm, but it will cost the RFU a bomb.
The Telegraph reports that Leicester Tigers will demand £2 million ($A3.6m) in compensation from the RFU for the wholesale recruitment of their coaches.
Leicester will not stand in the way of Borthwick but there are suggestions they are unhappy at the prospect of losing his assistants – Kevin Sinfield, the defence coach, and Aled Walters, the strength and conditioning coach – as well.
The RFU is already set to make a payoff of £1 million to Jones and his assistants were also all under contract.
NZR chief executive Mark Robinson reacted to the Jones and Wayne Pivac sackings by acknowledging the Kiwis can’t delay on sorting out their situation post-World Cup.
He was asked if they would need to break with tradition and could no longer leave it until after a World Cup cycle to select the All Blacks’ next coach.
“Yes that is fair to say. We acknowledge the environment and that it’s changing quickly. It’s part of the deliberation we’re going through. Recognising that the past and the rationale for using previous ways of appointments, previous processes around appointments versus what’s happening in the international environment [now],” Robinson told reporters.
“The discussions we’re having with all our talent across the board would signify we acknowledge that as well. We’re keeping a close eye on what’s happening internationally.
“We feel a lot of sympathy for what’s happened in England and Wales…but at the same time for us that means we have to be aware of that means for our talent too and we’re keeping a close eye on it.”
“We are having a lot of discussions at the moment and we know there’s an awful lot going on at this moment, but we’re confident we’re having all the conversations we need to be having at this time.”
It is possible Ian Foster and the public will know who the next coach will be before Foster takes the team to the World Cup in September.
“There is no definite timeline at the moment,” Robinson said.
“We’ll communicate as soon as we’re ready and as soon as we think it’s the right thing to do so. When we are ready to articulate and communicate a timeline, if we think that’s appropriate, we will.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.