World Cup winning coach Eddie Jones open to interest from Western Force

[WF1964]

Is this good news?

World Cup winning coach Eddie Jones open to interest from Western Force

* By DALE GRANGER
* From: The Sunday Times
* April 03, 2010 7:58PM


World Cup-winning coach Eddie Jones

'NEVER SAY NEVER': Springboks assistant coach Eddie Jones celebrate South Africa's victory over England in the 2007 World Cup final Picture: Mark Baker Source: PerthNow

WORLD Cup-winning coach Eddie Jones left the door open for the Emirates Western Force to tempt him, saying "never say never" when asked about future Australian rugby options and the prospect of relocating to Perth to take over from John Mitchell.

Jones, who hinted that he would probably never coach in Australia again after leaving the Reds under unhappy circumstances in 2007, resurfacing in the same year as Springbok technical adviser and the brains behind South Africa's World Cup triumph, appeared to have had a rethink about Australia this week.

Speaking from Japan, where he has a four-year contract as coach of Suntory, Jones said: "I'm not looking for a job. I'm very happy at Suntory and looking forward to contributing to Japanese rugby. But never say never mate."

So far Jones hasn't been linked to the Force job in the wake of Mitchell's sudden announcement that he would step down when his contract expires next year, but former Springbok head coach Jake White and current Springbok assistant coach Dick Muir have been mentioned as potential heirs.



But chief executive Vern Reid has dismissed both options, saying neither of the South Africans was on the Force radar.

Reid said the Force would probably appoint a committee to oversee coaching and contract issues.

Jones said before Friday night's game at ME Bank Stadium: "I reckon the Force have got a bit of a chance. Their defence has improved enormously and the Stormers are a defensive side, so it won't be a high-scoring game. But I reckon the Force could maybe sneak home."

The Force won 16-15, its first win of the season, via a David Hill drop goal after the hooter.

Jones revealed the blueprint he would employ to transform the Perth side from a bottom-of-the-ladder farce to a real, champion contending force.

"There's only two ways to do it," said the man who won the 2001 Super 12 with the Brumbies and lost the 2003 World Cup final with the Wallabies to a Jonny Wilkinson drop goal.

"I was at a function in London two years ago where the vice-president of Barcelona Football Club spoke.

"He told how some years ago the team was in debt and not winning.

"They could either borrow a lot more money and buy the best team or build one over 5-6 years to try and get winning again.

"They decided to build. In soccer you can buy the best players, but in rugby you've got to build a team. The Force need to regroup, put the process in place and look to build a team that can win the Super 14 in three to four years time.

"They've got a lot of hard yards to get there. But it's the only way they can do it."

If Jones wase coaching the Force today he would have little hesitation selecting teenage tyroJames O'Connor at fullback, while aggressively pursuing two or three young first five-eighths for the future.

"By far O'Connor's best position is 15, although he may develop into a 10. He is a brilliant runner and reminds me of Matt Giteau, who is a better 12 than 10," Jones said.

"I would look to sign two or three young 10s and go through some pain with them while getting a mentor like David Hill, or someone like Stephen Larkham, to help guide them."


http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/wor...-1225849339855

[force addict]

oh please god NO.
just remember what happened to the Reds.

[pieter blackie]

Lets get some new blood not some has been!!! please

[Garfiep]

we can do so much better - no thanks Mr Jones

[Hoolly Doolly]

Eddie is tapped in the head...thanks but no thank.

[jombi]

oh please god NO.
just remember what happened to the Reds.

You know the circumstances in that right?

The reds CEO made himself coach then the team went to hell, then after Eddie Jones was appointed coach John Connolly pulled strings behind the scenes and used his QLD clout to get his mate Mooney the job.

Eddie Jones is a brilliant coach, he just needs a filter.

I say Sharpe as head coach with Eddie Jones as assistant.

Turning him down at any capacity would be a big mistake. If you could dumb down his complex plays he is invaluable.

What we should do is like at everything Eddie Jones DID do!

He built the poniesi nto what they are today, he always emphesised the breakdown and you have to thank him for Smith. He got an absolutely rubbish wallabies side to the 03 RWC final, even after all the players leaving at the conclusion of the 01 Lions series, and Ben Darwin snapping his neck. He begged for a scrum school - which still hasn't happened due to the ARU. He plucked Gitaeu from club Rugby. He was a huge part in SA winning the RWC - mainly because he was on the periphery with White as his filter.

[lara93]

JAKE WHITE

[pieter blackie]

JAKE WHITE

he might be of the the tahs

[TOCC]

You know the circumstances in that right?

The reds CEO made himself coach then the team went to hell, then after Eddie Jones was appointed coach John Connolly pulled strings behind the scenes and used his QLD clout to get his mate Mooney the job.

Eddie Jones is a brilliant coach, he just needs a filter.

I say Sharpe as head coach with Eddie Jones as assistant.

Turning him down at any capacity would be a big mistake. If you could dumb down his complex plays he is invaluable.

What we should do is like at everything Eddie Jones DID do!

He built the poniesi nto what they are today, he always emphesised the breakdown and you have to thank him for Smith. He got an absolutely rubbish wallabies side to the 03 RWC final, even after all the players leaving at the conclusion of the 01 Lions series, and Ben Darwin snapping his neck. He begged for a scrum school - which still hasn't happened due to the ARU. He plucked Gitaeu from club Rugby. He was a huge part in SA winning the RWC - mainly because he was on the periphery with White as his filter.

what a load of shit

[Darren]

tell him what you really think

[jombi]

what a load of shit

And why is that??

Don't tell me you're one of those wallaby supporters with their head in lalaland who thought you actually had a decent squad post 2002.

[TOCC]

And why is that??

Don't tell me you're one of those wallaby supporters with their head in lalaland who thought you actually had a decent squad post 2002.

where do i start?

eddie jones might be a decent coach technically, however his manmangament was absolutely terrible, he actually got worse as the years progressed as well, manmanagment represent about 50% of what the coaching role is about.

Eddie Jones did not build the brumbies into who they are today, that honour unquestionably goes to Rod Maqueen, he introduced a style of rugby based on the talent which he had at his disposal that Eddie copied when he took over. Rod founded the brumbies and was involved heavily in everything from there colour and logo design up to hand picking players for recruitment.

Moving onto the Reds, yeah he inherited a distinctly average squad, however he did himself no favours when he turned around to Julian Huxley and told him he was not good enough. Berrick Barnes was a favoured son because during one of Eddies belittling of some of the younger players Berrick stood in and told Eddie where to shove it.

Eddie was signed mid 2006 for the Reds 2007 season, so there was no shortage in time allowed for planning, he came up with a game plan designed on tight play, yet the players in the squade werent up to the task. His persistance in a tight play game with players who were not physically capable was one of the inherent problems in the Reds massive injury toll in 2007. Which culminated in the infamous 92-3 drubbing against the Bulls in the last game of the season, Eddie's game plan for this match as to "just throw it around"... which isnt a bad philosphy but he was using a team which had trained for 10man rugby all year and lacked the necessary skills or mindset.

As for the Wallabies, whilst he did lose many great players at the start he did take over a team with a winning culture. Also a quick glance over the super12 tables from 1999-2005 is a pretty consistent theme of Australian teams in the finals, yet this was not replicated at the test level. At the end of the day he finished with 7 losses on the trot and the lowest win/loss ratio in wallaby history.

[Hoolly Doolly]

Moving onto the Reds, yeah he inherited a distinctly average squad, however he did himself no favours when he turned around to Julian Huxley and told him he was not good enough.......

i distinctly remember many reds supporters bagging julian huxley back then as well.i never rated him either .........

[Timbo]

OMG Eddie Numbnuts!!!

Let him use his time in Japan to perfect seppuku!!

[BDAVEY]

David Nicaflora (?) is the man.... or Vern Cotter (ass to Deans at the crusaders abd now in France)