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'I don’t know if I believe it': Former All Black dissects Eddie Jones' 'time to go' comments

By Ned Lester
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones speaks to the media during a Wallabies media opportunity at Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 01, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Eddie Jones’ contract with Australia concludes following the 2027 Rugby World Cup, but not if you ask the man himself. Jones told the media this week that he has learnt from his mistakes and won’t be hanging around after this year’s World Cup.

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What motivated Jones to make such a claim is now subject to speculation, pundits have observed the shifting power within Rugby Australia and the Wallabies’ competitive edge when dissecting the comments.

What we do know is Rugby Australia have since reconfirmed the length of Jones’ contract to be the full five-year period, and that Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos’ last day in the job will be June 14.

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“I’m only coaching to this World Cup,” Jones told The Evening Standard podcast.

“I’ve signed, but as I’ve made the mistake before, I’ve stayed too long. So we win the World Cup it will be time to go. If we lose the World Cup it will be time to go.”

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The comments were dissected by former All Black Israel Dagg, who was curious about the Wallaby coach’s intentions, and suspicious of the role Marinos’ departure was playing.

“I don’t know if I believe it,” Dagg told SENZ Breakfast.

“Eddie Jones is Eddie Jones, you just (never know) … this might be Eddie Jones having a little ploy.

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“He loves to create a little bit of debate, keep everyone on the edges of their seats (and) not getting comfortable.

“Obviously with Andy Marinos going, there’s a big reason why he’s obviously signed with Rugby Australia because they’ve got a really good friendship (and) that might have repercussions.

“That might be the reason why, it probably is the reason why.”

The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Friday morning that Former Wallabies captain Phil Waugh is set to take the reigns at the helm of Rugby Australia and succeed Marinos as CEO.

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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