10 January 2023 , 09:47
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Australia head coach Dave Rennie has ruled out a sensational Wallabies return for Eddie Jones before this year's Rugby World Cup.
Jones is considering his options after being axed as England boss following an RFU review into a wretched autumn series. The Australian is a World Cup specialist and had been gearing up to lead England's charge in France this September, but was sacked last month after presiding over a dismal run of five wins from 12 Tests in 2022.
Free agent Jones has been linked with a host of roles since his abrupt Twickenham exit and could still make an impact at the World Cup with an immediate international coaching return.
The 62-year-old was strongly linked with a Wallabies homecoming after Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan claimed there were plans to 'weaponise' his abilities by re-hiring him to work alongside Rennie.
But Rennie has now moved to dismiss the prospect of Jones joining his set-up in any capacity, at least before this year's tournament in France.
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"It won’t happen before [the World Cup]," he said. "There’s a fair bit of speculation about a lot of things, but my focus is on this group and the World Cup."
"We’ve had no discussions around that. There’s no plan to make alterations to the coaching group at this stage. My assumption is we’re going to push on. What happens beyond 2023 is a different matter."
Jones was in charge of Australia between 2001 and 2005 and has reached three World Cup finals in four attempts during his esteemed coaching career.
Jones is weighing up his options after being fired by the RFU (PA)He was an advisor to Jake White as South Africa claimed the Web Ellis trophy in 2007 and he also led England to the 2019 final in Yokohama.
But he has appeared to reject any suggestion he could offer his services in a consulting or advisory role in 2023 in a recent interview with the Guardian. "I’m not an assistant coach, mate," he insisted. "I’m not interested in that sort of job.”
Jones also reflected on the end to his England tenure, speculating that he had become too soft on players before his sacking.
“There’s this perception I’m a raving lunatic,” he said. “But I haven’t been like that for a long time. I don’t know whether I was too soft in England. Did I get enough out of the players? Probably no, in the end, and that’s why you get the sack."