In for the long haul: Jones clarifies Wallabies podcast comments

Eddie Jones says he will see out his contract and coach the Wallabies until 2027 after suggesting on a podcast last week he would walk away after this year’s Rugby World Cup.

Rugby Australia officials contacted Jones and his management after the newly appointed Wallabies boss caused a stir last week in an interview on the Evening Standard Rugby Podcast with former England international Lawrence Dallaglio.

Jones signed a five-year contract in January through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

“I’m only coaching ’til this World Cup,” Jones told the podcast. “I’ve signed [until the end of 2027], 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.”

Jones has previously spoken about his regret at staying on as England coach beyond the 2019 World Cup.

In a statement last week, RA said it was confident that Jones would honour his contract, having only just taken over from sacked Wallabies coach Dave Rennie.

Eddie Jones speaks to the media. Credit: Getty

Jones reached out to this masthead on Sunday evening to clarify his position.

Even if Australia manage to win this year’s World Cup in France, Jones says he’s in for the long haul, through until a home tournament in 2027.

“I am here for five years,” Jones said. “But my only concentration is this Rugby World Cup, so I don’t think past that.”

Jones has five Tests to get the Wallabies firing before the tournament starts in Paris on September 9.

The Wallabies have just over a month until their first Test of the year against South Africa in Pretoria on July 8.

Aside from a three-day camp in April, Jones has been waiting patiently to get his hands on players after Super Rugby commitments.

He’ll get the opportunity next Monday after the Melbourne Rebels and Western Force failed to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Potential Wallabies representatives from those teams will take a break this week before linking up with Australian coaches at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast. There won’t be a formal Wallabies squad announcement until June 25, but that date could come forward if Australian teams don’t go deep in Super Rugby finals.

Eddie Jones with Melbourne Rebels players Andrew Kellaway, Rece Hodge and Pone Fa’amausili. Credit: Getty

Jones selected six Rebels players - Andrew Kellaway, Reece Hodge, Carter Gordon, Jordan Uelese, Brad Wilkin and Pone Fa’amausili - for the April camp, plus Force prop Tom Robertson, who has since torn his ACL and will miss the remainder of the year.

The likes of Izack Rodda, Folau Fainga’a and Matt Philip will also come into the selection conversation.

If the Waratahs, Reds and Brumbies all lose this week, Jones could have a complete Wallabies squad by June 19 when the team assembles in Coogee.

From June 26, the Wallabies will be back on the Gold Coast, before departing for South Africa on July 2.

The Wallabies have lost all seven of their Tests against South Africa in Pretoria. The men in gold last played there in 2016 under Michael Cheika and suffered an 18-10 defeat.

Barrett firming for quarter-final against Waratahs

The Waratahs have moved on quickly from a sobering defeat to Moana Pasifika ahead of a quarter-final clash with the Blues that could see the return of All Blacks star Beauden Barrett.

“I sulked for a while on Saturday night but by Sunday you get going,” coach Darren Coleman said on Monday following a 33-24 loss to the previously winless Moana. “I had a good chat to some players and people whose opinions I respect. I was ripping into it by lunch time yesterday.

Beauden Barrett and teammates during their last clash with the Waratahs in April. The Blues ran out 55-21 winners. Credit: Getty

“We’ve had a good day here today [Monday]. We didn’t do too much of a review. We didn’t want to dredge up Saturday night again. We’ll just wash that and move on with putting our best foot forward on Friday night.

“The odds are against us. We like the challenge of being underdogs, and we probably run best from there.”

Coleman revealed on Saturday that captain Jake Gordon (concussion) and prop Harry Johnson-Holmes (syndesmosis) were no hope of lacing the boots against the Blues at Eden Park on Friday night.

He also added that Izaia Perese (hip pointer) and Langi Gleeson (back) were in doubt.

In a bid to freshen things up this week, Coleman and his Blues counterpart Leon MacDonald took part in a joint online media conference to promote the knockout match.

Coleman’s honesty around injuries worked to his advantage, with MacDonald offering up the news that Patrick Tuipulotu had broken his arm and Barrett was likely to return from a foot injury.

“Good honesty Darren … I felt I had to give one back after Darren gave us an injury list,” MacDonald said.

“Beauden’s got through training well today. He trained with no restrictions. He looked sharp. That’s exciting.

“The only player who won’t be available will be Patrick Tuipulotu who has a season-ending injury. It’s unfortunate for him.”

Coleman acknowledged that Barrett’s return would make the Waratahs’ mission even more difficult at a venue they have not won at since 2009.

“Beauden adds another dimension,” Coleman said. “He’s a big running 10 that’s got a short-kicking game. He pulls the strings quite well. We’re under no illusions how difficult the challenge is.

“We don’t have to beat Auckland 10 times out of 10. We’ve only got to beat them on Friday night. We’ve got enough talent there to score points. I just want my boys to go over there and compete and do our state and country proud.

“If we’re in the game with 15 [minutes] to go, you never know.”

With Gordon out, Coleman said Junior Wallabies skipper Teddy Wilson was a chance to start for NSW. Harrison Goddard wore the Waratahs No.9 jersey against Moana.

“He’s about to do a U-turn and go straight back to New Zealand,” said Coleman of the son of former Wallaby David Wilson.

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