Wallabies attack coach Scott Wisemantel says he would “love” Eddie Jones to make a return to Australian rugby ahead of the 2027 World Cup on home soil.
England coach Jones and Rugby Australia have held preliminary discussions about a potential return in the wake of the three Test Ella-Mobbs Cup series this month.
Jones and Wallabies mentor Dave Rennie are both off contract after the 2023 World Cup in France and it is understood that RA’s talks with Jones centred on a potential high performance, or director of rugby role, rather than as Australia’s coach.
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Jones, 62, coached the Wallabies from 2001-05 and led them to the final of the 2003 World Cup – the last time the tournament was held in Australia.
“I’d love to have Eddie back in Australia,” Wisemantel told reporters on Tuesday.
“In what capacity, I don’t know. I just think he’d be great for the game heading into ’27, just the way that he promotes the game, the way he drums up business from your (media) end and interest.”
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Wisemantel worked under Jones for England’s run to the 2019 World Cup final and in Japan’s memorable upset of South Africa at the 2015 World Cup.
“I’m biased because I’m mates with him and I’ve worked with him,” Wisemantel said.
“But at the same time – and I want to make this really, really clear, so you can’t draw a bow that Wisemantel wants Eddie Jones back – I think Dave Rennie and this coaching staff are exceptional. So what capacity, I don’t know.
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“It could be an ambassador’s role for Australian rugby union but it’d be lovely to have Eddie back.”
However, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that Jones wasn’t interested in working for RA again, with sources saying he was disenchanted with Australian rugby and wounded by the “traitor” sledges at the SCG.
Wisemantel said he “wouldn’t have a clue” if Jones would be interested despite spending time together after the series.
“I’ll be dead straight with you, I hooked up with Eddie on Saturday. We had two hours together and all we did was speak about footy.
“It was just footy and that’s the way our relationship is. It’s always footy, having a yarn, a beer, some fish and chips and away we went.
“It’s never about the future and ambition and where you want to go and who you want to coach. That has never, ever been part of it. It’s just purely footy.”
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