Sacked England coach Eddie Jones says he feels “ready to go again”, with the Australian coach revealing he will “make a decision” on his future “in the next couple of weeks”.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Guardian, the soon-to-be 63-year-old confirmed he had “a couple of good options” and would base his decision on his next move, which shapes as his last, on where he feels he can make the greatest impact over the next “four or five years”.
“I’ve got a couple of good options. I’m getting to the stage of talking contracts so I’ll make a decision in the next couple of weeks,” Jones told The Guardian.
“They have very different aspects and the decision will be made on where I feel I could make the most contribution over the next four or five years,” he added.
Eddie Jones says he’s “ready to go again” after being sacked last month by England. Photo: Michael Regan – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Probed on whether the options included a nation with a World Cup-winning record and one that doesn’t, Jones was coy.
“One’s one and one’s the other, mate,” he said.
Jones’ next move has been the talk of the town well before The Rugby Football Union axed him in December.
The Australian has been linked to a return to the Wallabies since July as a potential director of rugby, but any possible homecoming was thought to be following the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Jones’ sacking, which followed an underwhelming November campaign and saw him finish with just five victories from 12 Tests, came despite the Australian holding the greatest winning percentage (73%) by any England coach.
His unexpected availability has led to crunch meetings with Rugby Australia, who are considering their next move, particularly with New Zealand-born head coach Dave Rennie unlikely to be given a contract extension following a bumpy three years that threatened to crash out of control in the Northern Hemisphere following a historic first defeat to Italy in November.
Rugby Australia must also replace Scott Wisemantel, who resigned as Wallabies attack coach earlier this week.
But any thought of Jones joining Rennie’s World Cup ticket seems unlikely.
“I’m not an assistant coach, mate. I’m not interested in that sort of job,” Jones said bluntly.
Eddie Jones shakes hands with Nic White. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
It means Rugby Australia has a decision to make on Rennie’s future.
Jones has also been linked to a role in the United States of America, while The Roar understands he has been sounded out about roles in France as well as a return to the Japan head coaching role post next year’s World Cup.
Interestingly, Jones revealed he remains interested in the USA job, but crucially admitted the nation’s inability to qualify for next year’s World Cup, as well as the basket case the Major League Rugby competition is in, has likely cooled any thought of the Australian ending up in the developing rugby union.
“100 per cent. That would be one of the best projects but I get the impression World Rugby is starting to look at whether the investment in that country has made them ready. Given that the USA didn’t make the World Cup, it’s at a standstill,” Jones said.
He added: “Yeah, I’d obviously like to lift the trophy. But I really enjoy the process of building a team and playing good rugby.”
Jones, who said he didn’t “have any regrets” but admitted he was proud of his tenure with England, anticipates as many as six nations can win the World Cup.
Fascinatingly, the former Wallabies coach included Australia in that list.
“Six teams can win it,” Jones told The Guardian.
“Australia have beaten South Africa, drawn with New Zealand [2020] and lost [away] to France by one point. So they’re one of the six with England.
“New Zealand and South Africa are ranked third and fourth. Ireland and France are the popular teams [ranked 1 and 2]. They might be slightly ahead but in nine months they mightn’t be and that’s all that counts.
“At most other World Cups New Zealand have been way ahead with a group of teams fighting to play them. Generally, it’s South Africa, who have won the World Cup three times. That’s changed now.”
As for France, the host nation and Six Nations champions, who went unbeaten in 2022?
“They’ve got a 2023 project,” Jones said. “If you look at the history of French sport they’ve been able to do that for World Cups where the whole country gets behind the campaign. At the moment it’s working but what about later this year? No one knows.”
woodart
Roar Rookie
jones got england to their highest ever winning percentage. they got rid of him.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Pete, all coaches demand high performance. If you think otherwise or that EJ demands more than another coach, it may just be in your head, because unless you have stepped onto the training paddock with them I dont think you or I would know to be able to compare. I have been coached by John Hart and a few other top coaches when playing senior footy and if you think they are not tough and demanding you would be very much mistaken. I dont see EJ leaving behind a lasting legacy and I wonder on what grounds you think he will cut it. You seem to hang off Mr Bishops words when questioning the defensive positioning of Holloway in his article proposing Frost as a 6, which i think is another hypothetical which may ne interesting, but his is not the final.word on the matter and there are multiple factors which could make it a better option to continue to develop Holloway as opposed to slotting Frost in there at this point.. but you completely ignore the fact EJ ran out of ideas with England. But here you are touting him as an international supercoach who can turn the Wallabies around. I personally dont see it or see hom developing other coaches. But lets move the deck chairs about on the Titanic again. Short term thinking like this has bought Wallaby rugby here, not DR. I would see an EJ appomtment as just more of the same and I think would do more damage than good. If you look ar hoghly successfu teams, they dont have self serving, political animals at the helm.
Mike88
Roar Rookie
I love that gurus on here protest to not wanting EJ, one of the most successful and proven international coaches or demanding he take some DoR role so what....we can keep Rennie? Are we going that well that we'd turn him down? Give me a break. The jury's out on Rennie. It simply hasn't worked. End of story. He's a good coach sure he will get other chances. I for one would beg him to come back. Warts and all. And before the neysayers come in, the only question to answer is this - would we do better at the RWC with Eddie or Rennie? If you answer Rennie you are being disingenuous.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Technical Advisor is just another name for an assistant coach when you want to spare the ego of the original assistant coaches. And the players in 2007 said he made a massive difference. Remember, I was responding to his claim that he's not an assistant coach. He was assistant coach for one World Cup and they won the chocolate. He's never won the World Cup as a head coach - and nobody has failed to win a world cup more often when coaching one of the big five teams. He's a world class assistant coach.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Oh you poor little fella!! Get a grip rahoa!
PeterK
Roar Guru
EJ demands high performance. His tough love is what the wallabies need. IMO EJ's would leave the wallabies in very good shape after 4 years. The players skills and mental toughness would be improved. Importantly he would improve the assistant coaches , if they last, and one of them could be a good successor and thus continuity. I am not saying EJ's is the saviour nor that he would take the wallabies to the promised land. I am saying he is among the top 3 choices of who would possibly apply for the job. I always weight proven intl coaches over any provincial coach. I would love the top intl coaches to apply for the wallabies but the reality is they won't.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
So uou prefer a cosch who is known to have no longevity and provide no continuity over an unknown. In my view your thinking is short term bit lets assume for a moment it well considered. Firstly why and how do you see EJ leading the Wallabies to the promised land. It is hypothetical at best... comparing records without really comparing like for like is just grounds for going around in circles debating nothing as you know.. and its too hard on this forum. Saying DR is no good and EJ is the saviour is simplistic as I know you know. I think Aussie rugby needs some stability right now but i feel your outllook is not one that takes Australia forward.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Chivas – IMO Wallabies HC is a poisoned chalice. IMO very few quality proven (if any) coaches would apply. Normally at best they get aspiring intl coaches i.e good provincial coaches. IMO only 2 proven quality intl coaches would apply for the wallabies job J White and EJ. My preference would be J White since he build foundations that last. But I would take EJ failing that. It would be different if coaches like Scmidt or Cotter applied. EJ is a better choice than someone like Robertson who is not proven at intl level. Super rugby is very different to intl.
PeterK
Roar Guru
as a hc his best was runner up twice He was only a technical advisor for sa and I don't count that as higher than his HC acheivements
Chivas
Roar Rookie
4 and 8 years are poles apart PK. EJ is a short term solution. Is that what you are shooting for? I dint think EJ will deliver you the cup or be good for Wallaby rugby, but happy to be proven wrong.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately, do we actually have another high calibre and experienced at Test level option? Coaching is a major issue in Australia. I think Jones will be higher up the tree if he comes to Australia and would help with the RWC in the mean time but his end role will been using his experience in different systems and contacts.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
I was correcting a fact in the article, not looking for a juvenile contest with you. Run along.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Eddie is brilliant in a one off match that he's prepared two years for. That's fine if you're coaching minnows but won't win a world cup. It's not even a unique achievement for Japan. Joseph went one better in the following RWC, beating both Ireland AND Scotland and winning the pool. Ok it's better than John K managed but that's a pretty low bar. I simply don't see how beating a very poor South Africa in a one off game that he prepared two years for is a bigger success than winning a World Cup.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Cheers, understood.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I get it Peter. It’s frustrating in a disagreement when the opposing opinion differs without premise.
HenryHoneyBalls
Guest
I dont think he was an assistant coach with SA. He was a technical advisor which is as obscure a job you can have really.
Passit2me
Roar Rookie
Hey Ken, I agree with you 100%. Cheika’s time in charge was uncontrolled chaos on so many fronts. Whether it be the childish and cringeworthy post loss press conferences, the swearing into onfield cameras by our coach, the wild abandon with which our players conducted their offloads, the absolute debacle and uncontrolled nature of our rucks, the inability to pass left to right, dropped balls, forward passes, and total lack of patience to build phases before attempting to score tries. It seemed to me, Cheika and his men had it all. It more or less reflected the The RA train wreck, which is only logical. On a personal level, I want to see Aussie athletes coached by an Aussie. That’s the way I think. Bumpy and Out of control are just descriptive words that suit the build up to this story and it’s potential outcome :stoked:. In my mind, Cheika was too much of a rugby romantic for his own good. We were all set to win the Bledisloe, when Cheika decided to dump some highly experienced players and roll out his team of inexperienced troops who were going to take to the AB’s with good ol’ Aussie heart and grit. With a “Rip In” attitude that only a bunch of green players who were keen to please could apparently muster, we were going to take back the cup and set these new players up with a winning attitude and an unquestionable loyalty to their new coach. Forget that it’s a crucial test match against the best team in the world, loaded to the brim with experience and talent, who would rip your throat out if it meant avoiding the embarrassment of being the first AB team to lose the cup in over 15 years. Yep I get you Ken :thumbup: :rugby:
PeterK
Roar Guru
kcol - I agree that it is debatable. My point was there was no debate from Bobby, just a bare statement that I was wrong with no logic or reasoning backing that up
PeterK
Roar Guru
all coaches have a use by date. A lot of them would be 4 years, after all based around rwc's it is either 4 or 8 years
Bubba
Guest
Why is a Kiwi coaching the Wallabies? Let me know the next time an Aussie coaches the Awl blecks. Bring back the Beaver