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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
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.
“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.”
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.
