Eddie Jones took time away from preparing for England’s Six Nations title eliminator against Ireland to pay his own tribute to Shane Warne - and reveal how the spin king put one over on his rugby team.
Cricket-mad Jones coached the Wallabies between 2001-05, leading them to the 2003 World Cup final against Clive Woodward’s England.
He recalled how at around that time the Aussie rugby side took part in a net session with their high-flying cricket team.
“The Australian side when they were right at their top and Warne as rising to the top,” he remembered.
“We had a guy called Wendell Sailor, a larger than life character and he was batting against Stuart MacGill, who was the other leg spinner.
“Wendell was coming in and smashing MacGill out of the nets, and Warnie grabbed the ball, winked at the blokes behind and said ‘watch this’.
“He gave him two floated up and let Wendell smash then. Then he bowled a bit shorter and a bit faster, bowled him - then told Wendell to go where he needs go.
“I thought that was just a great insight into such a wonderful sportsman. Shane was an icon, a player that scaled the heights. It’s a terrible time."
England head coach Jones added: “Shane did a trade that was physically the opposite of what your body’s supposed to do.
“He did it for a long period of time and became the top test match wicket taker. He had his issues off the field but he changed the game of cricket.”
