England head coach Eddie Jones admitted he would ‘jump at’ the chance to take a job in the National Rugby League in his native Australia amid uncertainty around his future.
The 62-year-old is set to leave his role with England after the 2023 World Cup in France is completed. Speculation has been rife recently regarding his next move, with some key figures within the sport hoping he will return to his old post as head coach of the Wallabies.
However, reports suggest Jones would like to switch codes and he has been heavily linked with a move to an NRL club. These rumours were further fuelled as he looked around Penrith’s training base during England’s recent tour of Australia.
Jones openly revealed his desire to coach in the NRL, and referred to leading his boyhood club - the South Sydney Rabbitohs - as the ‘dream’ job. Speaking to Nine Entertainment Co, Jones said: “I like the game.
“If there was an opportunity there [in the NRL] I would jump at it, but the reality is it's probably not going to be there.”
When asked about his desire to take charge of the Bunnies, Jones expanded: “That would be the dream team. That would be the dream.
“From the age of five, I've supported Souths. That would be fantastic [to coach the Rabbitohs]. I loved the old teams with Ronnie Coote, Bob McCarthy, John Sattler and Eric Simms.”
Asked if he would take the job if offered to him, Jones wasted no breath: “100 per cent.”
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Jones met with fellow coaches Ivan Cleary, Cameron Ciraldo and Andrew Webster during his visit to Australia. He reportedly met with them to discuss his future and a potential move to the NRL before England clinched the series win with a victory over the Wallabies in Sydney.
The England coach spoke positively about the NRL bosses, showering them in praise before singling out the brotherhood needed to have success in the league Down Under. He said: “Ivan and his crew came into England camp and I wanted to come out to Penrith to see what they're doing well and what we can learn from.
“The principles of coaching never change. Obviously, the game is different, but it's learning about the principles. They've got a team that plays consistently hard here, so we want to learn how they do it. They're a very good team.
“You can always learn a different way and a better way of doing things. That's why we're out here.”
Jones, along with assistant coach Anthony Seibold, also met with AFL clubs Carlton and Melbourne Demons, the reigning champions.
