The controversy surrounding former Australia coach Eddie Jones advising the Springboks looks set to grow after it was revealed on Tuesday he had held talks with a view to staying on until the end of the South Africans’ campaign.
Andy Marinos, rugby manager of the South African national teams, confirmed that there were ongoing talks to see if Jones — who guided the Wallabies to the 2003 World Cup final where they lost to England in the dying seconds of extra-time — would stay on beyond the end of the Springbok training session at the end of next week.
”We are studying the possibility of hiring Eddie for the Springboks until the end of our campaign in France,” Marinos said in a press release.
”I would like to make it clear that despite speculation over the question, Eddie has not yet been offered a contract with the Springboks.
”For the moment, the agreement is that he works with the team until the end of our training session in Durban next week.”
Jones, who was the Wallaby coach from 2001 to 2005, was fiercely criticised in Australia for his defection to the Springbok camp, as the two nations could meet in the World Cup quarterfinals or even the final.
Australian Rugby Union chief John O’Neill criticised Jones for helping the Springboks while present Wallaby coach John ”Knuckles” Connolly admitted several of the players were very upset about it.
However, captain Stirling Mortlock played down the significance of the move, saying Jones probably would not bring with him much useful inside knowledge and it simply reflected the nature of the modern game.
”To be perfectly honest, I don’t think there would be that much inside information that would be very useful,” said Mortlock, who scored the sole try in the Wallabies stunning 2003 World Cup semifinal victory over the All Blacks.
”It is a little bit disappointing but it reflects the nature of professional rugby these days. Players go overseas to play and likewise coaches need to coach.”
Jones is set take over at English side Saracens after the World Cup, which takes place from September 7 to October 20. — Sapa-AFP