Eddie Jones has insisted there would be no conflict of loyalties when he coaches England against his native Australia for the first time next year.
Jones was in charge of the Wallabies when they lost the 2003 Rugby World Cup final to England in Sydney.
However, on Friday he became England’s new head coach after Stuart Lancaster stepped down following the team’s group-stage exit at this year’s World Cup — the worst performance by a host nation in the tournament’s history.
Photo: Reuters
Jones’ first match in charge of England is to be their Six Nations opener away to Scotland on Feb. 6 next year, but June sees the Red Rose brigade traveling to Australia for a three-Test series against the Wallabies.
Jones, who enhanced his reputation at this year’s World Cup by guiding unheralded Japan to three wins, including a shock defeat of South Africa, told a Twickenham news conference on Friday he would relish the challenge.
“One of the things my track record had shown is that the team that I coach, I am 100 percent committed to,” said Jones, a member of South Africa’s backroom staff when they won the 2007 World Cup.
“When you are playing against your own country, you feel something,” added Jones, England’s first foreign head coach. “Everyone’s normal, but I can guarantee you, that when we get to that starting line, I will be 100 percent committed to England.”
Jones’ appointment means that all four Home Nations now have an overseas coach, with Wales, Ireland and Scotland led by a trio of New Zealanders in Warren Gatland, Joe Schmidt and Vern Cotter respectively.
One of the tasks the Rugby Football Union (RFU) have given Jones, who has signed a four-year contract, is to develop homegrown coaches who are in a position to take over from him following the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
“I will be 59 by the next World Cup and I will be watching cricket in Barbados. That is one of my dreams,” Jones said.
“You can do a lot with players in four years and then it is time for someone else to do it. I see it as part of my job in the four years to develop England coaches to take over. Everyone wants to have their own nationalities as a head coach and I understand that,” he added.
Jones, who left Japan to join the Stormers after the World Cup, only to be in charge of the South African provincial side for a matter of days before the RFU came calling, said he wanted to develop an England game based on their traditional set-piece strengths and not simply try to copy the style of world champions New Zealand.
“If we get that right, then we will have a strong side,” he said. “We want the All Blacks to be watching how England play — that would be nice, wouldn’t it?”
However, Jones, who hopes to build a “winning team that has Twickenham buzzing,” said he wanted a captain in the mold of New Zealand great Richie McCaw, who retired this week, to lead the side.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely