Eddie Jones, the ex-England head coach who held the position from 2015 to 2022, has recently shared his candid thoughts about one of his most prominent critics from his seven-year tenure.
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Amidst his noteworthy achievements, including a record-breaking 73% win rate, a World Cup final appearance, an undefeated year in 2016, and numerous other accolades, Jones has singled out Sir Clive as a former coach with whom he harbors a distinct disagreement.
You’ve got to be forthright with what you think” started Jones.
“He hasn’t coached since 2005 and he’s the ‘world’s best coach.’ You’re the world’s best coach when you don’t coach. What’s the old thing, the man in the arena?
“He’s consistently criticising. We had a bit of a thing when we were England and Australia coach, but his great gripe is that he wanted to be director of rugby at England.
“He wanted to oversee it and he never got that job. After the World Cup in 2019, he ran an internal campaign with the RFU to take that position and he did it behind my back and I thought it was quite sneaky and deceitful.
“So every time since, if he says something, I really don’t value his thoughts at all and I don’t like him as a bloke. Because he was so deceitful. Most blokes in our sport, they’re generally face-to-face, and I don’t mind that. If someone has a different opinion, say it and we’ll have a debate about it. But when people start doing things behind your back, and particularly the power he had in the media, I thought it was a bit red hot.
“He made it personal by doing all that stuff behind the scenes. He’ll deny it to the hilt. But I always find it a bit sad, and I hope that when I do finish coaching I don’t become one of those blokes that knows everything. ‘He should have done thing, he should have made the change here’- coaching and playing is all about foresight, being a pundit is all about hindsight and you’re always right.”
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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
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.
Eddie Jones Dream Team:
BACK-THREE:
- 15. Matt Burke (Australia)
- 14. Bryan Habana (South Africa)
- 11. Lote Tuqiri (Australia)
CENTRES:
- 13. Manu Tuilagi (England)
- 12. Matt Giteau (Australa)
