Jones in league switch?
6 Feb 2009
Eddie Jones is reportedly not happy with the South African outlook at Saracens and could defect to rugby league club Wigan.
Francois Pienaar and Morne du Plessis are on the Saracens board as directors, while Johann Rupert is an investor. The club has players Neil de Kock and Cobus Visagie on their books, while Jones was influential in bringing Wikus van Heerden and Brad Barritt to Watford.
Bok World Cup-winning coach Jake White was also recruited by Jones as a consultant, but The Australian newspaper reported that “Jones was not happy with the direction in which the new South African co-owners of Saracens were taking the club.”
Jones’s discontent first arose when Australian chief executive Mark Sinderberry left the club two months ago.
He is now linked with a move to rugby league club Wigan Warriors, where his captain at Sarries, Andy Farrell, formerly played. Farrell has also been linked with a return to the club.
Jones has no league expereince, but The Australian describes him as a “keen student of rugby league and he has incorporated elements of the 13-a-side code in his rugby strategies.”
If Jones does leave Saracens, Stormers defence coach Brendan Venter is rumoured to be the best prospect to take over.
19 Comments
6 Feb 2009, 14:50 pm
aussies!
6 Feb 2009, 14:57 pm
why the infatuation with this doos.who cares what the **** he does. the way this site is heading the next article will probably read
Eddie Jones farts after eating beans curry
6 Feb 2009, 15:29 pm
Hahahah for sure saru1983
6 Feb 2009, 15:47 pm
Worst move ever to get Farrell into Union…always getting injured just when needed, and playing like Doris against easy opposition. A return to league is a boost for Saracens
6 Feb 2009, 16:00 pm
You gotta give it to Eddie. He’s always loyal to No1.
6 Feb 2009, 16:42 pm
the mercenary is at it again….
6 Feb 2009, 18:10 pm
I find it funny that people who are against the ELVs use Eddie Jones views to support their case.
This is a man who would no doubt have supported the ELVs when coach of the Wallabies. But now, because he coaches a team with players not cut out for the ELVs and in a domestic competition that prefers negativity over expansive play, he denounces them.
I find it ironic that he now doesn’t like the South African approach Saracens are taking, yet when assistant coach of the Boks couldn’t find a negative word to say about South Africa or its players.
I find it the ultimate irony however that a man who declares himself not to like the ELVs because they are forcing the game he loves to become too much like rugby league, could ultimately end up coaching a rugby league team.
Say what you like about Eddie Jones. As BlackPanther notes, he is consistent about looking after himself and his own needs first and foremost.
6 Feb 2009, 18:11 pm
#2 saru1983: Don’t you know mate. Eddie Jones won SA the world cup. You guys owe him a debt of gratitude forever more. His 30 pieces of silver wasn’t enough
6 Feb 2009, 18:14 pm
Fantastic news that there’s such a strong SA presence here. I suppose the idea would be for it to become a base for ex Springboks and players who do not make the SA national team due to AA. Neil de Kock is a good example, he is way better than Bolla or January but there is no way that he will play for the Boks again due to pigmentation issues. Well done to Rupert and co.!
6 Feb 2009, 18:33 pm
#9 wespa531: Do you think the club will ever recruit an SA player with no pigmentation issues?
6 Feb 2009, 18:34 pm
Shame, obviously the sheep left with the other Aussie now eddie’s feeling lonely
6 Feb 2009, 18:48 pm
#9 wespa531: stop talking kak
6 Feb 2009, 19:01 pm
So all the white sheep are going baa baa, while the only black sheep is looking for greener pastures to graze on cos the white sheep and the black sheep can’t baa baa in unison
So Eddy’s starting to become the Moaner again while Rupert still has dreams of a little laager of his own in downtown London
Wonder if Jakey boy’s going to be taking up the slack where Eddy left off, or will he also land up changing codes to League – after all ‘defense does win games’…
O ja its Brendan running all the way over yonder to fetch Ruperts beers for him while he collects the Pounds Shillings and Pence being spilled off the round table, ring around the rosemary bush we go, round and round the merry go round.
Jip Stodders all those 30 pieces of silver have lost their gilt edged favor and now its back to base zero, numero uno gotta start taking his next step all the way back to his Samurai heritage and begin again.
6 Feb 2009, 19:39 pm
#7 stodders: stodders in agreeing with myopic kiwi shocker! lot of inaccuracies in your post (as usual), the ELVs are universally hated everywhere except Aus/NZ who need something to perk up their . But the Antipodean idiots can’t see for looking such is their chippiness towards old mother England (not un-Celt like), the TV ratings went DOWN as a result of the ELVs last season if they are adopted they could kill rugby in that part of the world. One can have whatever opinion one wants to about Eddie, but his comments on the ELVs are spot on.
6 Feb 2009, 19:40 pm
*their rugby
6 Feb 2009, 20:54 pm
#7 stodders: Look if you do not like him say so, but all you are doing is speculating about his intentions
Why would anyone not look after themselves first and foremost
It must be sad not being able to comment on your nations own rugby greatness or lack of, it is a professional era and if anyone is willing to pay money services will be offered. Robbie Deans most probably did not sell his soul for the 30 pieces of silver, hey……
7 Feb 2009, 01:04 am
Eddie don’t go to rugby league, it’s a **** game. Maybe go to the Eastern Cape and hang out with Cheeky and the boys. Do your bit there. Coulds be interesting.
7 Feb 2009, 14:23 pm
#14 Big Hit:
You are no match for Sir Stodders, don’t make a fool of yourself Biggles.
7 Feb 2009, 15:32 pm
EJ is living on the lifeline JW gave him gifting him his only RWC medal…
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