Steve Hansen on what 'probably' cost Eddie Jones his job
All Blacks coaching great Steve Hansen believes Eddie Jones's big focus on next year's Rugby World Cup probably cost him his England job.
Hansen has been appointed to guide a World XV against a Barbarians team coached by Jones at Twickenham in May.
The 2015 World Cup winner admitted he was taken aback at the timing of the England decision to axe their Australian coach.
"It was pretty surprising that they would replace him now, when all along Eddie's been saying 'look, this is what we're building for'," Hansen said.
"He's been their most successful coach in history. Some might say that Clive (Woodward) is because he won a World Cup. However, the record speaks for itself, doesn't it?
"I know Eddie had a big focus on the World Cup and that's probably what in the end cost him, because he didn't have such a good autumn and people were frustrated by that."
Jones can boast a 73 per cent winning record with England over his seven years in charge from 2015, and he took them to the last World Cup final in Japan with a masterpiece semi-final victory over the All Blacks.
But he was sacked on December 6 following a disappointing autumn internationals campaign having finished third in the Six Nations with a 2-3 record early in the year.
Rugby Australia has sounded out former Wallabies coach Jones about a possible return home, while other nations have also expressed interest in his services.
"You relish every chance to go against Eddie," said Hansen. "We've known each other for a long, long time and he's a good rugby man.
"With Eddie, you've got to expect the unexpected, because one of his great attributes is his ability to analyse the opposition and set traps for them.
"He's a great planner, that's why he's been so successful with so many sides in different World Cups, having won one with South Africa (as advisor)."
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You're right about Papalii, but he doesn't have much experience in closing stages and gets caught out alot. Cane is better there.
Sotutu isn't a scratch on Ardie, and Sititi is already in.
So that only leaves you not liking Ardie. He's the current world player of the year. Let that sink in. And then let it sink in that you need a blend with experience that players like him possess, you cannot pick flat out teams based on the best 'potential' skills, you need the experience. Papalii yes, which is coming anyway considering cane is off soon, but Ardie, you can't drop him. Sotutu doesn't trump him or Sititi I think.
I think maybe you're right for the next world Cup though...but we have to blend into that team over many more games
Go to commentsSCW really dislikes Eddie, doesn't he?
His words in 2019 before the RWC final that he now says should have resulted in Eddie's firing:
"Was Saturday’s sensational World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand England’s greatest ever performance? Yes, unquestionably, would be my answer."
So let's fire the coach one game later? Duh!
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