Eddie Jones and Wallabies scrumhalf Nic White shake hands,

Eddie Jones and Wallabies scrumhalf Nic White shake hands. Photo: Getty Images.

Eddie Jones’ $4.5 million Wallabies deal raises questions over loyalty

Eddie Jones and Rugby Australia had reportedly been in secret talks for at least 14 months prior to his appointment as Wallabies coach.

Eddie Jones and Wallabies scrumhalf Nic White shake hands,

Eddie Jones and Wallabies scrumhalf Nic White shake hands. Photo: Getty Images.

Eddie Jones and Rugby Australia had reportedly been in secret talks for at least 14 months prior to his appointment as Wallabies coach.

In a shocking turn of events, RA announced the sacking of Dave Rennie and the subsequent appointment of Jones on Monday morning. He signed a five-year deal with RA worth $4.5 million.

ALSO READ: Eddie Jones already sets sights on Springboks

The move came only six weeks after Jones was stood down as England boss and replaced by one of his assistants, Steve Borthwick, following a tumultuous spell in charge.

But it has now come to light that Jones had been flirting with RA to get the Wallabies job long before the English Rugby Football Union had even contemplated firing him; and the revelation is not sitting kindly with the English media.

According to the Telegraph, Jones and Rugby Australia have been locked in a series of negotiations with the earliest known meeting dating back to November 202, when RA chairman Hamish McLennan and chief executive Andy Marinos met with the then England coach at a London restaurant.

Jones is also said to have attended a dinner party at McLennan’s home in Sydney during England’s tour of Australia last year. Also present at the private gathering was Marinos and board member Phil Waugh and the quartet discussed the plans Jones had to take the Wallabies forward.

These revelations have now irked English fans and certain factions of the English media, with many questioning Jones’ loyalty and dedication to the England team.

In a scathing piece, the Telegraph stated that there can be no debate about the fact that Jones’ allegiance to England was superficial.

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RA boss grateful England dumped Jones so Wallabies could pounce

Eddie was still contracted to England when he was unceremoniously dumped by the RFU and McLennan says he and RA has a whole are pleased that the RFU hadn’t placed any restrictions on Jones when they parted ways.

“When we heard that Eddie had been cut we said: ‘Wow!’ “Then when we heard there was a non-compete [clause], we said: ‘Really!’

“There is no way I wanted someone like Eddie to go to one of my big competitors. His global knowledge of the game and our opposing sides is second to none. We didn’t want a rampaging Eddie on the loose.”

Eddie Jones Wallabies coaching update
New Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones is all smiles. Photo: Getty Images.