Less than three days after signing a $4.5 million cope with Rugby Australia, Eddie Jones is already seeking to poach three NRL stars to assist spark a Wallabies revival.
On Monday morning, Dave Rennie was sacked as Wallabies coach following an underwhelming three-year stint as nationwide mentor — his win share of 38.24 was the bottom of any Wallabies coach with greater than 30 Tests.
Jones was unveiled as Rennie’s alternative, set to steer the Wallabies via to the 2027 World Cup on residence soil. He formally begins the brand new position on January 29.
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The 62-year-old, who was stood down as England coach seven weeks in the past, has eight months to arrange Australia for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, and he already has his eye on a trio of former schoolboy rugby prodigies — however he gained’t reveal any names.
Jones was on the helm of the Wallabies when RA picked off Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers from rugby league forward of the 2003 World Cup on residence soil, serving to Australia attain the ultimate.
According to The Daily Telegraph, some high-profile rugby league stars who’re all off contract this 12 months are on RA’s listing of curiosity, with Sydney Roosters gun Joseph Suaalii the No. 1 goal.
The 19-year-old, who starred for Samoa throughout final 12 months’s Rugby League World Cup in England, represented the Australian Schoolboys in 2019 earlier than making his NRL debut for the Roosters in 2021.
Parramatta Eels centre Will Penisini, Manly flyer Tolu Koula and Melbourne Storm enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona are additionally needed by RA, News Corp studies.
“We always want to develop players in rugby first. That’s the No. 1 priority,” Jones informed the Sydney Morning Herald.
“No. 2 is to get back players who were lost initially from rugby to rugby league due to the financial inducements that league are able to give the players. We want to get players back who are lost.
“Thirdly, at the right time, is there an opportunity to secure some talent we don’t have in rugby from league? I think there is a strategic plan that needs to be put in place but the first thing is to retain the talent we do have.
“I’m sure the allure of playing in a home Rugby World Cup might be something to attract them back.”
Penisini, who captained The Kings School’s First XV to an undefeated season in 2020, is a free agent after the 2023 season, however Koula, one other member of the 2019 Australian Schoolboys facet, is contracted till the tip of 2024.
Meanwhile, Asofa-Solomona has already explored the potential for enjoying for the Wallabies, assembly with former Australian coach Dave Rennie in 2021.
Jones, who boasts an unrivalled World Cup success fee of 82 per cent, is set to “leave Australian rugby in a better place” when his tenure wraps up in 2027.
“It’s the greatest honour and privilege. The only thing I can promise you is I will give it 100 per cent to get Australian rugby back in the position we want to be in,” Jones informed the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I never divorced Australian rugby, they divorced me. Now we’re remarrying. Who said you can’t go to the altar twice?
“At the end of the day, you’ve got to win. That’s what people want to see. The Australian cricket team is popular when they win. When they don’t, they’re not too popular.”
According to The Telegraph, RA had courted Jones in a collection of secret conferences relationship again to the Wallabies spring tour of November 2021.
“Eddie and I believe we can win the World Cup this year. That’s a lot to do but we really believe we have got a fair shake,” RA chairman Hamish McLennan informed AFP.
“I think it is a whole-of-game reset that Eddie will lead.
“I think in life quite often you mature with age and I think he’s a better coach than 20 years ago.
“He performs well at World Cups — that is really critical for us. And then we have the home World Cup in 27.
“Eddie is very enthused by the opportunity and as you would know, Eddie is a worker, and so he will make it all work.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
