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Is this good news?
World Cup winning coach Eddie Jones open to interest from Western Force
* By DALE GRANGER
* From: The Sunday Times
* April 03, 2010 7:58PM
World Cup-winning coach Eddie Jones
'NEVER SAY NEVER': Springboks assistant coach Eddie Jones celebrate South Africa's victory over England in the 2007 World Cup final Picture: Mark Baker Source: PerthNow
WORLD Cup-winning coach Eddie Jones left the door open for the Emirates Western Force to tempt him, saying "never say never" when asked about future Australian rugby options and the prospect of relocating to Perth to take over from John Mitchell.
Jones, who hinted that he would probably never coach in Australia again after leaving the Reds under unhappy circumstances in 2007, resurfacing in the same year as Springbok technical adviser and the brains behind South Africa's World Cup triumph, appeared to have had a rethink about Australia this week.
Speaking from Japan, where he has a four-year contract as coach of Suntory, Jones said: "I'm not looking for a job. I'm very happy at Suntory and looking forward to contributing to Japanese rugby. But never say never mate."
So far Jones hasn't been linked to the Force job in the wake of Mitchell's sudden announcement that he would step down when his contract expires next year, but former Springbok head coach Jake White and current Springbok assistant coach Dick Muir have been mentioned as potential heirs.
But chief executive Vern Reid has dismissed both options, saying neither of the South Africans was on the Force radar.
Reid said the Force would probably appoint a committee to oversee coaching and contract issues.
Jones said before Friday night's game at ME Bank Stadium: "I reckon the Force have got a bit of a chance. Their defence has improved enormously and the Stormers are a defensive side, so it won't be a high-scoring game. But I reckon the Force could maybe sneak home."
The Force won 16-15, its first win of the season, via a David Hill drop goal after the hooter.
Jones revealed the blueprint he would employ to transform the Perth side from a bottom-of-the-ladder farce to a real, champion contending force.
"There's only two ways to do it," said the man who won the 2001 Super 12 with the Brumbies and lost the 2003 World Cup final with the Wallabies to a Jonny Wilkinson drop goal.
"I was at a function in London two years ago where the vice-president of Barcelona Football Club spoke.
"He told how some years ago the team was in debt and not winning.
"They could either borrow a lot more money and buy the best team or build one over 5-6 years to try and get winning again.
"They decided to build. In soccer you can buy the best players, but in rugby you've got to build a team. The Force need to regroup, put the process in place and look to build a team that can win the Super 14 in three to four years time.
"They've got a lot of hard yards to get there. But it's the only way they can do it."
If Jones wase coaching the Force today he would have little hesitation selecting teenage tyroJames O'Connor at fullback, while aggressively pursuing two or three young first five-eighths for the future.
"By far O'Connor's best position is 15, although he may develop into a 10. He is a brilliant runner and reminds me of Matt Giteau, who is a better 12 than 10," Jones said.
"I would look to sign two or three young 10s and go through some pain with them while getting a mentor like David Hill, or someone like Stephen Larkham, to help guide them."
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