Wallabies brutally reject Eddie Jones, now set to join World Cup minnow

Tuesday, 10 January 2023 at 08:46

byRugby Rucker

Australia boss Dave Rennie has rejected the chance to add Eddie Jones to their coaching team for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

He told reporters on Monday, prior to a four-day training camp with the Wallabies on the Gold Coast, that it would not occur before the World Cup.

"There’s a fair bit of speculation about a lot of things, but my focus is on this group and the World Cup," said Rennie.

'We’ve had no discussions around that. There’s no plan to make alterations to the coaching group at this stage,' he said.

'My assumption is we’re going to push on. What happens beyond 2023 is a different matter.'

During an interview with The Guardian last week, Jones seemed to dismiss the idea of joining the Wallabies coaching staff.

'I’m not an assistant coach, mate. I’m not interested in that sort of job,' he said

The i Paper Sport

@TheiPaperSport

·Follow

🎤 Eddie Jones is set to take on a UK-based punditry role for the Six Nations, reports @hughgodwin_ 🇬🇪🇵🇹 The former England head coach could also return to coaching to assist Georgia or Portugal at the World Cup. inews.co.uk/sport/rugby-un…

3:20 PM · Jan 8, 2023

Read 1 reply

However, according to RUCK sources, Jones is expected to assist in the coaching of a lower-ranked team such as Georgia or Portugal at the World Cup later in the year.

Jones has a reputation for aiding in the development of emerging teams in World Rugby.

Pundit role incoming:

Mark Pougatch and Jill Douglas are splitting the hosting duties as ITV has two of the three games each weekend (starting with England vs Scotland and Italy vs France, on the opening weekend.).

A leak suggests pundits on the ITV roster will include former England boss Jones. The 62-year-old, who was sacked as England head coach by the Rugby Football Union at the end of last year, is understood to be weighing up an offer to be one of their analysts for the championship.

He will be joined by Brian O’Driscoll, Rory Best, Gareth Thomas, Benjamin Kayser, Maggie Alphonsi, James Hook, Sir Clive Woodward, Jonny Wilkinson and Lawrence Dallaglio

Miles Harrison and Nick Mullins are the ITV commentators, supported by Ben Kay, David Flatman, Shane Williams, Gordan D’Arcy, Scott Hastings and Danielle ‘Nollie’ Waterman.

Eddie Jones Facts:

Jones coached Australia when they lost the 2003 World Cup final to England
He made three appearances for Leicester during the 1991/92 season in England
Jones was born in Burnie, Tasmania to a Japanese American mother and an Australian Father
He was the first non-Englishman to become Head Coach of the England rugby team
Jones discovered the talent of Australia great George Smith