Eddie Jones: 'Three or four' NRL players ready to sign

Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones has disclosed that “three or four” more NRL players are prepared to join Australia Rugby.

Jones made the comments during an interview with Sky NZ today after he named a 34-man Championship squad in preparation for his first Test back in charge against the Springboks on July 8 in Pretoria.

NZ rugby journalist Paul Cully tweeted: “Eddie Jones tells Sky in NZ this evening that “three or four” NRL players are “ready to sign” with Rugby Australia. “Big names”. Hard to tell if he’s serious or not.”

Eddie Jones tells Sky in NZ this evening that “three or four” NRL players are “ready to sign” with Rugby Australia. “Big names”. Hard to tell if he’s serious or not.

— Paul Cully (@paulcullystuff) June 25, 2023

“At that moment that’s set in stone,” Jones went on to say. “Is that the best thing for the development of Australian rugby? I think we’ve just got to get better at identifying the talent and keeping the talent.”

Jones’ statement about more NRL players potentially signing with Rugby Australia will, of course, spark intrigue. While the details regarding the identity of these players remain undisclosed, Jones referred to them as “big names.”

It also remains to be seen whether this revelation is a serious indication of incoming talent or merely an offhand comment. The prospect of more NRL players crossing over to rugby union will certainly fan the flames of the so-called ‘code war’ that has been stirred up since Jones took over the reins of the Wallabies earlier this year and the decision of NRL star Joseph Sua’ali’i to return to union on a mammoth salary.

The upcoming Test against South Africa marks the beginning of a series of five matches leading up to the Wallabies’ World Cup opener against Georgia on September 10 in France. In a significant departure from tradition in Australian Rugby Union, Jones has chosen to implement a dual leadership structure, with Michael Hooper and James Slipper serving as co-captains. The decision to introduce co-captaincy draws inspiration from the Australian Football League (AFL) clubs, which have successfully adopted this concept.

As the Wallabies gear up for their Test matches, the news of potential NRL recruits adds an extra layer of anticipation. Although it’s not clear if it was a classic bait and switch from Jones or a genine disclosure, the former England head coach knows that his comments will set the tongues of fans and pundits of both codes wagging and potentially help market his Wallabies’ side as they near the Rugby World Cup.