Australia: Eddie Jones’ Wallabies return is a ‘no brainer’ says Morgan Turinui

David Skippers
Eddie Jones former England head coach 2022 - PA.jpg

Former Australia, Waratahs and Reds centre Morgan Turinui believes it would be a “no brainer” to add Eddie Jones to the Wallabies’ brains trust ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Last week, legendary Wallabies flanker Simon Poidevin urged Rugby Australia (RA) to bring Jones back to the country to help the national team’s beleaguered head coach Dave Rennie.

This after the Rugby Football Union dismissed Jones from his position as England head coach after they won just five out of 12 Tests in 2022.

No formal offer yet

According to a Sydney Herald report, RA chairman Hamish McLennan spoke to Jones over the weekend although no formal offer was discussed, and McLennan would not comment on whether he favoured a role for Jones before or after next year’s World Cup.

The big questions are whether Jones is actually interested in helping the Wallabies and whether Rennie felt working with his predecessor was feasible and a formula for success.

Turinui, who played under Jones, thinks it would be.

“A technical advisor role, I think it’s a bit of a no-brainer,” Turinui told Wide World of Sports.

“I like Dave Rennie; I think he’s the right guy for this World Cup campaign. Like the work he’s done. I think it’s a good coaching staff. And (manager) Chris Webb and (attack coach) Scott Wisemantel have strong existing relationships with Eddie, so I think the alignment’s there for a really nice role.

“The important thing is having real clarity about who does what, but in terms of a winning Wallabies team, I think he’s a guy that can help them achieve, help them be better at the World Cup. I think it’s a bit of a no-brainer.”

Jones has led teams to two World Cup finals – the 2003 Wallabies in Australia, which included Turinui, and the 2019 England side in Japan.

The 62-year-old also masterminded Japan’s 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign in England, where they claimed a shock victory over South Africa, and he was part of the Springboks’ backroom staff under head coach Jake White when the Boks were crowned world champions in France in 2007.

“It’s always hard trying to unwrap Eddie’s motivations – a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma,” Turinui quipped.

“But I’ve never seen a better coach during a game.”

Turinui used the example of Jones taking senior England scrum-half Danny Care off after just 36 minutes in this year’s deciding Test against the Wallabies in Sydney and bringing on up-and-coming youngster Jack van Poortvliet, who played a vital role in his team’s series-clinching victory.

“If he didn’t have the foresight, the insight, the bravery to make that call, I don’t think they win that Test,” Turinui said.

“He’s a brilliant footy brain with decades of experience.”

The jocular Jones is renowned as a workaholic who sets very high standards and is an expert at playing mind games.

Rennie brings a more calmer demeanour as well as shrewd tactical acumen and a reputation for prioritising tight-knit bonds within teams.

Worth the risk

Given that the Wallabies aren’t at their best at the moment – they are ranked sixth in the world, and Rennie’s win percentage is at a meagre 38% – Turinui bringing Jones in to help Rennie is worth the risk.

“I think they can be great together actually,” he said.

“They can be really complementary, to be honest. Dave’s a guy with great rugby IP himself, and he’s a self-aware guy. I think he’s very good around the environment, pushing guys to be better, but Eddie can perhaps bring a little edge that maybe they need. Eddie is one of the greatest living resources of rugby there is in the world.

“Whether all the parties are keen on that, I don’t know, but I think it’s a logical one that would add value without creating too much friction.”

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