1
'It would be awesome if Eddie had a role in the Australian future'
By Chris Jones
Double World Cup winner Phil Kearns believes that England boss Eddie Jones would be the perfect fit to nourish the next wave of future Wallabies in Australia. The former hooker reckons Jones will see his current RFU deal through to its World Cup 2023 expiry - but he then wants Rugby Australia to consider recruiting Jones for a role back home.
Kearns, the executive director of the 2027 RWC bid by Australia, isn't canvassing for Jones to be given another stint as coach of the Wallabies, the job he was sacked from in 2005.
Instead, he sees Jones as the right man to build on the enthusiasm that would be generated if Australia is given the right to host a tournament it co-hosted with New Zealand in 1987 and on its own when England triumphed in 2003.
A decision on the host country for 2027 - and for the 2029 women’s tournament which is also wanted by Australia - is expected to be known in a month’s time and Kearns is confident of success. That is why he believes Jones should be asked to return following the end of his England job after the 2023 Cup in France.
Jones is soon due to tour Australia as England are set to travel there for a three-Test series versus the Wallabies in July. This impending visit left Kearns telling Australian media this week: “They [the RFU] are not going to get rid of him before the 2023 World Cup. He won’t be panicking about his position.
"I’m looking forward to what goes on between Eddie and (Wallabies coach) Dave Rennie. It will be combative with the English and Eddie will throw bait out there for sure. Eddie is a really good bloke and an amazing coach. Eddie would be fabulous in dealing with the rugby youth of our nation, the up-and-coming players.
"He builds resilience in players. He’s not easy with them and we all know that. He’s tough. He demands excellence and that can only be good for players on the way through. It would be awesome if Eddie had a role in the future of Australian rugby. Those (broken) bridges should well and truly be rebuilt and pave the way for Eddie to come back in some role.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales have the same problem
3
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
4
Let's be real about these All Blacks
5
Latest Comments
I wonder Jake, who do you think is the best fit for Australia as a coach? Not since Joe Schmidt took over as coach did Australia look any good, however, there is always this debate around not having an Aussie coach by the fans and so called pundits and old players.
Some of them are changing their minds now however, but I would love to see who you would choose. I think Joe Schmidt is an excellent coach, who puts in everything for the team he is coaching. To him, there is no such thing as being biased.
Go to commentsExcept for the 6N he has won nothing. No WC's, no Lions tours not anything. He is ranked even behind Eddie Jones, who has won a WC with SA and have a better victory rate than Gatland. Keep your so called "best coach" in the world. No one but Wales wants him. A very harsh Hell No comes to mind if anyone asks if they would want Gatland as head coach.
Guess the man is wearing blinders. Rob Howley is howling mad describing Gatland as the best. What a load of 💩
Go to comments