Revealed: The role Eddie Jones played in luring Beauden Barrett to Japan
He's at it again.
Fresh from humiliating the All Blacks at the World Cup, England coach Eddie Jones also played his part in snaring Japan-bound Beauden Barrett away from New Zealand rugby.
England have allowed Jones to continue his consultancy work for Suntory Sungoliath where he is now director of rugby.
Jones came up with a fake spy story before the World Cup semifinal last year. But now he'll get the perfect chance to check out the inner workings of an All Black star and maybe grab himself some vital intellectual property from New Zealand rugby.
The England coach will get close to one of the All Blacks' best weapons and see what makes him tick when brief Blues back Barrett joins Suntory for a reported $1.5m.
Jones normally spends three weeks a year at Suntory, and stays in close contact with them the rest of the time dealing with recruitment and other matters.
Suntory is coached by Kiwi Milton Haig, who guided Georgia for two World Cup cycles until last year.
Haig jumped at the chance when Barrett's name was mentioned, and so did Jones.
"He (Jones) has been in Tokyo for the last four months – he's had a big involvement (in club matters) and I have regular meetings with him," Haig told NewstalkZB's Elliott Smith.
"He's been helpful for us in terms of pre-season and the season's planning for next year.
"We sat down six or seven months ago – in Japan they look pretty early at next season's roster.
"Eddie Jones was obviously involved as the director of rugby. Beauden's name came up and as soon as they said his name I said he's the guy I want. Eddie was in favour as well."
Meanwhile, Haig was excited to be working with Barrett, who he first spotted as a junior cutting opponents apart at the national sevens tournament.
Haig said Barrett's commitment to a new club was proven at the Blues, when he emerged from lockdown to set team and personal best training records.
"The season starts in mid-January and we're expecting him here in December," said Haig.
"He has international commitments in October and November and we'll take stock of where he is at after that. He has a young family as well.
"He'll drive bums on seats…but ultimately it's about winning championships."
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Everywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
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