Eddie Jones says he will consider pinching Australia’s Super Rugby Pacific coaches to form part of a Wallabies set-up intent on pulling off the heist of winning the Rugby World Cup.
Since returning to the helm of Australia last month, the make-up of Jones’s backroom staff has been a hot topic.
Jones has a reputation for pushing his assistants to the limit and he has yet to make a call on the futures of Dan McKellar and Laurie Fisher, who remain from Dave Rennie’s regime.
Attack coach Scott Wisemantel, who previously worked with Jones with England, quit before Rennie was axed while ex-Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has said he has unfinished business in the NRL.
Jones said he had contemplated picking the best brains out of the five Super Rugby sides to formulate his Wallabies support staff.
“We’ve got a bit of a smash-and-grab job, it’s nine and a half months and (it’s like) there’s a beautiful jewellery store around the corner,” Jones said.
“You’ve got to get four or five coaches that can work together to get in there, steal the trophy and get out without getting caught.
“In a lot of ways, we’ve got time because as a coaching team, we need to be together probably for the last six or eight weeks of Super Rugby, where selection is going to become important.”
Returning to the role in January, Jones said he planned to have face-to-face talks with every coach of an Australian franchise in the coming months.
The 63-year-old said he wouldn’t be dictating tactics to the Super Rugby sides but would offer input into where he thought potential Wallabies would be best suited.
“We don’t tell the Super teams how to play,” he said ahead of next Friday’s opener between the Waratahs and Brumbies.
“We’re not New Zealand or Ireland – we’re Australia.
“We have a relationship with the Super Rugby coaches but I want them to play the style they want to play.
“What I want to see is that the players play with that toughness that want to get better, they want to help their teammates in difficult situations.”
Jones reiterated how critical Super Rugby games were to steel Australia’s players for the pressure of Test rugby.
“The games against the Crusaders or whoever the strongest New Zealand side is, they are the important selection games,” Jones said.
“That’s where you’ll see (what you want) from the players.
“The expectation is they play well and consistently play well.
“It’d be nice to have an Australian side win the Super Rugby final.”
Angus
Roar Rookie
Same…. Soooo many questions. Kinda needs a Netflix documentary on all this behind the scenes stuff haha!
Phil
Roar Rookie
Thanks. I guess that answers the question if true! would still be very interesting to know why he left.
Angus
Roar Rookie
Scott’s apparently coming back…… sooooooooo
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Where is this document?
Micko
Roar Rookie
Exactly why the league is a dismal failure: it's treated as a protectionist trial league for national teams.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
:stoked: :stoked: :stoked:
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
Well, the latest news is that Laurie Fisher has left the Wallabies setup effective immediately. Has someone signed?
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Simon poidevan went too school with legendary Cronulla ball playing back rower Gavin Miller one must ask what was in the water down there.Loved both of those guys commitment to the cause.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
What's Joe Roff do these days ? Ran lines like Mr invisible is that teachable in 9 months or at all.Owen Finnegan forwards advisor knew every trick but once again is 9 months enough.
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
As long as you're the one tapping the ankles it could be a good choice. Get in there waterboy! You're hired.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
There has to be some cooperation between Regional and National . Not saying Jones should tell them how to play . Anyway said he won't . But if for example he wishes to see say a player in a certain position experimentally that there shouldn't be some cooperation from the franchises . Make that has to be .. I know prior to the WC 2019 one particular play called "The Move" was trialled by the Bulls in Superugby at I believe Rassies request . It worked a charm and got stored in the cupboard only to be brought out again in the final yielding points to the Boks .
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
As a fallback position it deserves mention that waterboys are available. We're always ready to give things a go. I've even provided bananas as well as oranges at halftime, although it's best if you ask me prior. Has Eddie asked Rassie?
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Yes, it's ugly. I'd hate to be complicit in that stuff. I'd never feel clean.
Angus
Roar Rookie
I agree. As for Eddie’s coaching team, it’s really up in the air. His next job will be interesting, Scott’s that is. I’d like to see if he stays here or heads to Japan. I kinda have an inclining he wants a head coach role.
carnivean
Roar Rookie
They could do much worse, they could bring in some of the posters here, particularly the guest accounts.
carnivean
Roar Rookie
I think we're agreeing except for the weights we're giving each theory. It could be that something personally happened and he wanted out. It could be the he wanted to leave Rennie. It could be that he knew Jones was happening soon and wasn't down for it. Only Scott knows the full truth. And regardless of which is the right answer, the fact is that Scott won't be coaching under Eddie. At this point the why doesn't matter, just the how and who and when of what comes next.
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
I really hope you're right Christy, you would have significantly more inside knowledge than I do. Maguire and Larkham appear to be out of the race in the short term anyway, If Palmer and McKay jump on board and McKellar and Fisher stay we're looking decent short term. I don't see McKellar or Fisher staying on longer than this year.
carnivean
Roar Rookie
I didn't know that, that's a big tick. However there's a difference between playing and coaching. I don't doubt that he'd be able to add value, I just doubt that he'd have time before the World Cup this year to do it. The next one? For sure.
Daz
Guest
Get in Alan Jones as assistant too. And Nick Farr-Jones. The circus will be complete!
FatOldHalfback
Roar Rookie
I think EJ should keep things Randwick, get Ewan McKenzie as forwards coach, Glen Ella as backs coach and Simon Poidovin as fitness coach (only half joking)