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Jones rejects 'traitor' tag
UNPOPULAR: An illustration by Alexander Jock portrays Eddie Jones hopping on the Springbok.
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/stor...005403,00.html
By Peter Jenkins
August 05, 2007 01:09pm
IN an exclusive interview, former Australia coach Eddie Jones talks about joining South Africa in the countdown to the World Cup.
QUESTION: Let's start with the obvious. ARU boss John O'Neill, top Wallabies Stirling Mortlock and Stephen Larkham, and plenty of others, have all questioned your move. How do you react to being potrayed as Eddie Jones the traitor?
ANSWER: I've got a clear conscience. November 2005 was the last time I coached Australia. Since then there have been numerous offers from various teams to help. I had distanced myself from them. But the divorce settlement (with Australian Rugby) is final now and I've moved on. All I'm doing is acting as a coach. I don't feel I've been disloyal to Australia. The only side I coached in the last 12 months was Queensland and that revolved around my coaching, no-one else's.
Q: But Mortlock suggested you were privy to the ideas and intellectual property of the Wallabies because the provinces now have a closer working relationship with the national side.
A: That's just totally and factually incorrect and someone should have a word to Stirling because he knows that's not true. I think I had one 30-minute conversation with (Wallabies forwards coach) Michael Foley about tactics or technique and that was the only contact I've had with the Australian coaches over the last 12 months.
Q: You weren't privy to individual programs or specific Wallaby training programs that were going to be put in place?
A: The bottom line is I worked with the players in Queensland and they worked on Queensland programs, not Wallaby programs. So again I don't understand what the issue is and I'm sure if you spoke to most of the other provincial coaches they would say the same thing.
Q: Given your departure from the Australian job at the end of 2005 and now this, are you a bit over Australian rugby at the moment?
A: Look, I've moved on and that's why I find this kerfuffle interesting. I made a decision to move on from Australian rugby and I don't think I've stolen anything. I feel as though I've given as much as I've been given so I don't feel disloyal at all.
Q: Does it hurt you when people like (Wallabies forwards consultant) Alex Evans question whether you'd even be able to pass on any information you might have about the national team?
A: For a guy that coached with me this year, to make contrary comments face-to-face, then make those other comments when I'm not here ... maybe it says something about his character.
Q: Did you expect this sort of backlash over the move?
A: I'm really not too concerned. I don't have any guilty conscience. My coaching knowledge has been accumulated over a number of years. It's been the result of my own work and working with players. I don't think it's national-specific. I mean, I'm going to coach at Saracens, so I'm going to be helping England get stronger. That's the way of the world. Australia is a very small area for rugby coaches and I've moved on.
Q: Have you discussed Australia in any detail with Springboks coach Jake White?
A: Honestly, we haven't. They just want to improve themselves. There's a small likelihood South Africa could play 80 minutes against Australia (at the World Cup). But what we have been discussing are (pool opponents) Samoa, England, Tonga and USA.
Q: What has struck you since you've been over there? Has there been any insight as a coach or a person that you never realised when you were on the outside of them?
A: They are extremely passionate and extremely committed about their rugby. What I probably didn't realise is they are a very hard-working team. They definitely make sacrifices and are extremely focused on the World Cup. They have different ideas about how to play the game but that is one of the best parts of coaching.
Q: It's only a few years ago Bakkies Botha was accused of biting Brendan Cannon in a Test and you gave it to them, almost causing an international incident.
A: No (laughing).
Q: But have you been looking over your shoulder for Bakkies?
A: He's been very good, mate. I've never seen a guy that works so hard and it's good to be involved with athletes like that.
Q: He hasn't raised Brisbane?
A: I was wondering whether I should raise it with him but, no, it's been fine.
Q: Will you be doing anything with the Boks at the World Cup?
A: We're having a bit of a chat at the moment. But nothing is confirmed at the moment.
Q: This year you got involved ina spat with Wallabies coach John Connnolly after he accused you of having Chris Latham train when he shouldn't have at Queensland and Latham was injured. When you look at Connolly's Australia team, is it better than the one you coached?
A: It's good to see the best players fit and playing now, and there's no doubt when Australia have their best 15 to 18 on the field they can compete with anyone. They've made strides in the scrum and in their general driving play, which is a real credit to Michael Foley. But the major thing this year has been their defence. It's full credit to John Muggleton, he's done a great job. He's been part of the national set-up since 1998 and he keeps on reinventing himself as a very good coach. Their defensive work has been absolutely outstanding.
Q: Do you think you were unfairly judged, given a lot of those leading players were not there when you lost eight of nine Tests at the end of your tenure?
A: I don't look back.
Q: You never think 'I could have had this team at this point myself and in with a chance of winning a World Cup?'
A: I was lucky enough to coach in 57 Tests and that's a pretty fair stint. I don't have any regrets.
Q: A hypothetical one to finish. If Australia plays the Boks at the World Cup and you're part of the South African coaching staff, will you watch it dispassionately?
A: I had four of my best years at the Brumbies. But when I coached the Reds this year I was desperate to beat them. If I was involved with South Africa and we played against Australia, I would be 100 per cent supporting South Africa. At the same time you would always feel that bit for Australia. I'm hoping they do well at the World Cup.
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