« Keen », « demanding » but also very open, Eddie Jones, the emblematic Australian coach of Japan against France on Saturday November 9, “ dedicated his life to Rugby », Estimates his former deputy Pierre-Henry Broncan, the Frenchman who undoubtedly knows him best.
“He doesn’t sleep, he doesn’t have vacations”
With Marc Dal Maso, in charge of the Japan scrum in 2015, the current manager of Brive had the chance to share a part of the journey with Jones, 64, a true rugby globetrotter, who coached rugby franchises. Super Rugby and Saracens, three national selections (Japan, Australia, England), and even been a consultant to the Springboks in 2007.
Their relationship, which became friendship, began when the now 50-year-old from Gers was coaching the English club Bath and Jones was in charge of the XV de la Rose. “ It was in 2018. He was playing in the English first division clubs, I had eight English internationals. He knew I was French and he wanted to talk. We had lunch together in a country restaurant. We talked about rugby in general. The meal lasted a little. Since then, we have kept in touch “, recalls Broncan.
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The two men have one thing in common: thinking, breathing rugby from morning to evening and from evening to morning. “ Eddie is passionate, confirms the Corrèze coach. He only lives for that. He dedicated his life to rugby. He doesn’t sleep, he doesn’t have vacations. He is always looking for performance ».
Military rigor
To do this, Jones opened up to other sports where the balls bounce less capriciously. “ He went to meet Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, he often went to the United States to meet US football and basketball coaches, not forgetting those of rugby league in Australia. He’s someone who could switch to the XIII at a high level », Details Broncan, who had another dinner with his Australian friend last week in a restaurant in Brive, the city chosen by the Japanese for their pre-Tour training in Europe.
On the menu, debrief of the Coujoux’s last match, as they do every day of the championship. “ We are in almost daily contact, by video, by message. He watches our matches, videos of our training. I watch Japan a little more since he became manager », slips Broncan, poached by Jones during the last Rugby World Cup in France to prepare the play of Australia’s forwards.
« It was a lot of work up front, a lot of feedback to analyze, explains Broncan. An American was involved in preparation of meetings, videos and player participation in training. Eddie Jones has always brought in trainers for his coaches and the training schedules have always been very tight with him ».
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Because in the organization, Jones, son of a former soldier – his Japanese-American mother was an interpreter – is almost martial. This rigor does not displease Broncan who does not see many faults in the Australian technician.
« In rugby, he doesn’t have one. As much as he can put a lot of pressure on the staff, he is very good with the players. But not everyone can work with him as he is very demanding and very demanding. It puts a lot of pressure on the content, on the detail. As far as I’m concerned, it was a pleasure to work with him. », concludes Broncan.
