6 Things You May Not Have Known About Eddie Jones

Eddie Jones has risen as arguably the best and most revered coaches of the modern era. Having grown up in the working-class community of South-Eastern Sydney, Jones developed a colourful character with a deep passion for the game of rugby.

He has coached all over the world and his constant and relentless desire to improve not only his own abilities, but that of his players as well, sets him apart.

Here are six interesting facts about Eddie Jones:

1. He is a former school principal

At the age of 32, Jones was asked to take up the headmaster’s role at the International Grammar School in Sydney where he’d taught for several years. The appointment coincided with the infancy of his coaching career and he was able to take much from the experience;

“I made a hell of a lot of mistakes while headmaster, but I learnt that you need a vision – and to implement that vision you have to set standards and continually match them.” Jones wrote in his book “Eddie Jones: My Life and Rugby”.

2. He was coach of the first Australian team to hoist the Super Rugby trophy

Jones was at the helm of the Brumbies side which defeated the Sharks in 2001 to become the first Aussie team to claim the title. The Brumbies weathered a furious early onslaught from the Sharks before running away with the game, eventually winning comfortably, 36-6.

3. He played for Leicester during the 1991/1992 season

In the late 80s, Leicester toured Australia and played a fixture against Jones’ Sydney-based club, Randwick. The clubs hit it off immediately, sharing a similar competitive spirit and admiring what the other one had to offer in terms of skills and style. They decided to collaborate and a system emerged whereby players were swapped between the clubs.

Jones was one such player given the opportunity and spent three months in the English Midlands. He played three games for Leicester and nine reserve matches.

4. He coached Australia ‘A’ to victory over the British & Irish Lions in 2001

On 19 June 2001, the Lions suffered their first loss of the tour, against Eddie Jones’ Australia ‘A’ side. It was a formidable achievement for Jones as the Lions team boasted figures such as Lawrence Dallaglio, Jason Robinson, Austin Healey and Mike Catt. The Australians ran them ragged and emerged 28-25 victors.

5. He was appointed to the Goldman Sachs Group Inc.’s advisory board in Japan in 2015

The board was created in 2001, consisting of individuals from both the public and private sectors, to advise the global investment banking giants on their business in Japan. Given his heritage and familiarity with the Japanese culture from coaching there for many seasons, Jones was considered a valuable appointment.

6. He harbours a great desire to one day coach the British & Irish Lions

In his autobiography, Jones states:

 “I have for a long time wanted to coach the British & Irish Lions. I still hope that, one day, I might get the opportunity. Apart from telling Pemby (communications adviser David Pembroke), I’d kept it a secret that I had set my sights on the 2021 tour of South Africa. That will be one of the great tours in the history of world rugby.”

While he may have lost out to Warren Gatland for the 2021 tour, it remains an exciting possibility that that he may take charge of the team in the future.