Rugby Australia has terminated the contract of Wallabies coach Dave Rennie and has appointed Eddie Jones as the new coach for the upcoming World Cup.
Jones, a former coach of the Wallabies from 2001-2005, has agreed to a five-year contract which will cover the 2027 World Cup.
In a statement, RA chairman Hamish McLennan confirmed the news.
“It is a major coup for Australian rugby to have the best coach in the world return home to coach the iconic Wallabies and to oversee the Wallaroos program,” McLennan said.
“Eddie’s deep understanding of our rugby system and knowledge of our player group and pathways will lift the team to the next level.
“Eddie instinctively understands the Australian way of playing rugby – this represents an opportunity to secure a coach of immense expertise and experience at the biggest competitions, and we did not want to miss it.”
In a statement, Jones said he was looking forward to getting “stuck in”.
Eddie Jones facts:
- In 1994 Jones gave up his career as a teacher and school principal to coach his former club Randwick
- Jones previously coached Australia between 2001 and 2005, taking the team to the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final.
- He played a minimal role with South Africa when the Springboks won the 2007 Rugby World Cup and from 2012 to 2015 he coached Japan, leading them in the 2015 Rugby World Cup and their upset win over South Africa
- The hooker made three appearances for Leicester during the 1991/92 season in England
- In November 2015 Jones was appointed by Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to the bank’s advisory board in Japan
Eddie Jones selects seven England players in his dream team of stars coached
Using several interviews with various sources from down the years, we’ve formed Eddie Jones dream team of the players based on the players he bestowed with the most acclaim.
BACK-THREE:
- 15. Freddie Steward (England)
- 14. Bryan Habana (South Africa)
- 11. Lote Tuqiri (Australia)
CENTRES:
- 13. Stirling Mortlock (Australia)
- 12. Manu Tuilagi (England)
