'It's personal for Eddie': Why the RFU will be 'absolutely filthy'

When The Rugby Football Union made their staggering decision late last year to part ways with legendary coach Eddie Jones, they probably didn’t see his next move coming.

In fact, former Wallaby Morgan Turinui believes the RFU would be “absolutely fifthly” after Jones was appointed the next Wallabies coach ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup in France.

Jones, who has taken Australia and England to World Cup finals, added to his unparalleled legacy as a test rugby country during an illustrious stint up north.

England were more than deserving of the ‘world’s best’ moniker for a period under Jones, which saw them win their 18^th consecutive Test match back in 2018.

Following a disastrous World Cup on home soil in 2015, England had returned to their former glory under the tutelage of Eddie Jones.

While England didn’t win nearly as many matches as they would’ve liked last year, the decision to fire Jones was still a shock to many around the rugby world.

But the World Cup wouldn’t be the same without Jones’ brilliance, and Rugby Australia made the most of his availability.

Rugby Australia confirmed the news that Dave Rennie was out, and Eddie Jones was in ahead of the sport’s most prestigious event.

It’s an announcement Morgan Turinui believes the RFU didn’t see coming.

“They didn’t think he’d bounce back so quickly,” Turinui said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“The (RFU) probably hadn’t thought of that the whole way through.

“Privately, (the RFU) would be absolutely filthy especially with the amount of (clout) a guy like (Jones) has.

“He has all the gossip on them as well.

“It’s a really great advantage that Australia has from that point of view.

“England would not want to play Australia because they know that it’s personal for Eddie and that Australia and England is huge no matter what sport it is.

“If it comes up on the horizon, it’d be something that England would be worried about.”

Eddie Jones is not Dave Rennie, and that could benefit some fringe Wallabies hoping to make this year’s World Cup squad.

While both men are brilliant coaches, they bring different things to the table.

As Turinui discussed, players such as Suliasi Vunivalu could “make a real difference” in the Australian team under Jones.

“You look around the playing group and (Vunivalu) is probably the big winner,” he added.

“He didn’t quite break his way into the system and Dave Rennie’s preferred team.

“He’s been troubled by a hamstring a couple of times but with Jones as Wallabies coach, a fully fit Vunivalu is in a World Cup squad.

“Playing in rugby league, playing for the Reds and playing for Australia A in Japan last year, we’ve seen flashes of brilliance.

“He’s an X-factor guy that can make a real difference in your Wallabies squad.”