Eddie officially joins Boks

Former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones has been confirmed as the replacement for Rassie Erasmus as Bok technical advisor for Rugby World Cup 2007. He will take up his coaching contract with Saracens after the tournament.

SARU National Teams Manager, Andy Marinos, welcomed Jones on board.

“He brings with him a wealth of international experience and knowledge, not withstanding that Eddie was also the Australian coach when the Wallabies lost narrowly to England in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final.

“We believe that his vast knowledge of the game and his outstanding coaching credentials will be of great benefit and significance to the Springboks as they prepare their challenge for the Rugby World Cup crown.

“The team has already benefited from his involvement as a consultant during the past two weeks and we are really pleased and excited to welcome him on board,” said Marinos.

Jones was enthusiastic about his appointment.

“I am really delighted to help Jake and his team in their preparation for the Rugby World Cup.

“This is a very professional and committed unit and the players and team management are determined to leave no stone unturned in their planning,” said Jones.

He countered accusations from his rattled countrymen as to his lack of patriotism.

“I have no Wallaby secrets,” he said, speaking to The Guardian. “I have not coached the side since 2005 and I am not being unpatriotic.

“Professional coaching is a globalised business: Graham Henry and Steve Hansen, who are at the helm of the All Blacks, have coached Wales and so has Australia’s skills coach Scott Johnson.

“As for John O’Neill, he is being hypocritical: when he was running Australia’s national soccer side he appointed a Dutchman, Guus Hiddink, as manager. I do not have a guilty conscience. My coaching knowledge has been accumulated over a number of years and it has been the result of my own work. It is not national-specific.

“If South Africa play Australia in the World Cup I would be supporting South Africa 100%, but I think there is only a small likelihood that we will meet in the quarter-finals,” he concluded.

Jake White has previously expressed his delight at having Jones involved in the Bok preparations.

“Here we have a guy who was involved in international rugby guiding one of our biggest competitors and a major challenger for the World Cup just a year and a half ago.

“Having somebody like that on board helping us prepare for this World Cup is a major coup for us. Eddie coached Australia into the last World Cup final, where they only lost to a drop-goal in the last half minute of extra time.

“They lost to an England team that was always the clear favourite to win the title,” said White.