RFU open talks with their 'preferred choice' to replace Eddie Jones

OPINION: Rugbypass writer Finn Morton makes some bold predictions for 2024. New Year, new me' is a phrase that we all hear every 12 months. The start of a new year presents us all with an opportunity to take a step back and start again if we need to. Fireworks, cheers and a general sense of optimism filled the air at midnight on the morning of…

Photosport/Andrew Cornaga/INPHOJager playing for Canterbury in 2017. pathway The 28-year-old impressed for the Crusaders but now returns to Irish rugby. OLI JAGER WASN'T sure about rugby at the start. His Dutch father, Harm, a former water polo international, took him down to Naas RFC near their family home in Kildare when Oli was nine. He hated it…

Foster didn't want to light any fires on his way out the door. "I don't want to say anything about that, because it's not my decision,'' Foster said. "All I know is how highly I regard him [Cane], and this team regards him. I don't want to be giving out advice.'' Whether other peoples' opinions about Cane will influence Robertson is unclear. What…

PARIS - Sitting by himself in the changing rooms at Ellis Park, coach Ian Foster shed some tears after a famous All Blacks win. It wasn't just an important result for rugby-mad New Zealand - the pressure, strain and scrutiny had been far more personal for Foster. Armed with pitchforks and torches behind the safety of their keyboards, some All…

It's not just a semifinal place on the line for the All Blacks this weekend, the credibility of New Zealand's rugby regime hangs in the balance. It was with theWorld Cup quarterfinal in mind - a game that was almost certainly going to pit the All Blacks against either Ireland or South Africa - that so many significant decisions were made last year…

After a disappointing showing at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, New Zealand returns to the world stage with high expectations in France. Currently, the All Blacks are favored to hoist the Rugby World Cup trophy. New Zealand has+275 odds to win the title, while France has the second-shortest odds at+300. That said, there has yet to be a clear consensus…

Bristol Bears academy prop Andrew Turner has been drafted into the matchday squad of the reigning Super Rugby champions the Crusaders for a second time after making his debut earlier this month. Loosehead prop Turner is still just 21 years old and is out in New Zealand along with clubmates Macenzzie Duncan and Paddy Pearce this summer to gain…

All Blacks coach Ian Foster and the next coach, Scott Robertson, have differing opinions on whether national players can play club rugby overseas. Crusaders boss Robertson will take over from Foster regardless of the World Cup 2023 result. He has already thrown the cat among the pigeons by suggesting he will try allow All Blacks based overseas to…

Scott Robertson's appointment as All Blacks head coach from next year ahead of Jamie Joseph was greeted with widespread glee in New Zealand. The longstanding public favourite will, finally, get his chance to lead the nation team -- but not before an unprecedented transition period that includes the All Blacks World Cup campaign playing out. But…

There's an unacknowledged truth that sport is essentially made up of winners and losers. Some people just know how to conjure a victory whatever the circumstances, and others don't. Some people have that knackof winning when it matters most, of being at their best when the pressure is greatest. On Saturday night at Eden Park, Crusaders coach Scott…

Ian Foster's decision to not contest the next All Blacks coaching appointment signals the end of an era that extends well beyond his long-standing influence on the team. Foster's connection to the All Blacksenters its 12th and final season after serving eight years as Steve Hansen's assistant before assuming charge following the 2019 World Cup…

OPINION: New Zealand Rugby and the next All Blacks coach may not be quite aligned on the timing front, but one thing appears increasingly likely: Scott'Razor' Robertson could be installed in the job he has always coveted above all long before Ian Foster and his men leave for France in their quest for a fourth global triumph. And rightly so. Despite…

Now, he's waiting for the governing body to make an announcement, which Robertson told media in Christchurch on Wednesday could be "in the next few days". However, judging by the statement NZR released in the aftermath of Robertson's interview, that looks a stretch. "New Zealand Rugby is continuing to have internal discussions, but an announcement…

There will be more than the Calcutta Cup at stake when England begin their Six Nations campaign on 4 February as whoever takes the reins from Eddie Jones will be braced for a baptism of fire in their new role. Jones was sacked on Tuesday following a chaotic Autumn Nations Series which culminated in a decisive 27-13 defeat to South Africa at…

Warren Gatland has left New Zealand Rugby with one final piece of advice before departing for Wales, imploring the governing body to sign Scott Robertson as the next All Blacks coach. It was on Monday revealed that Gatland would be returning to Cardiff after just three short years away, the Kiwi replacing Wayne Pivac as Wales coach after his fellow…

Another two All Blacks have decided their post-World Cup future with Tasman duo David Havili and Tyrel Lomax re-signing with New Zealand Rugby and their respective Super Rugby teams. The Crusaders announced Havili's decision to stay until 2025 this morning, saying the 28-year-old is "a key senior player" for them after debuting for the franchise…

ENGLAND boss Eddie Jones looks set to get the bullet on Tuesday. Leicester head coach Steve Borthwick is in line to take over - about a year earlier than expected - if the RFU can lure him away from Welford Road. The union have not confirmed Jones' exit, ahead of Tuesday's board meeting. But despite fighting his corner, the Aussie looks doomed. The…

England are considering RFU director of performance Conor O'Shea as an interim coaching option with Warren Gatland also in the frame as Eddie Jones' future looks increasingly uncertain. RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney, alongside O'Shea, is holding a review into the performance of their current head coach Jones after England's worst year in terms…

Eddie Jones confirmed departure from England following the 20223 Rugby World Cup has sparked speculation as to what the Aussie boss will do next. Bookmakers' Betfair have priced up a list of potential destinations for Jones, with the Scotland national job surprisingly high on the list. As widely reported, the USA are currently the 2/1 favourites to…

Speaking to reporters in Auckland, Sweeney said the next England coach need not be English - seemingly contradicting a position he had taken earlier this year - and that Eddie Jones' replacement would be unveiled by May next year. As coaches such as the Crusaders Scott Robertson weigh up their test options for 2024 and beyond, timelines are…

Legendary coach Sir Steve Hansen has selected his choice to replace Eddie Jones as England head coach following the 2023 World Cup. The World Cup-winning coach has ruled himself out of the running, but insists Leicester Tigers coach Steve Borthwick is the right man to take charge of the Red Rose. "I'd say thank you very much but no thanks," said…

Rassie Erasmus is a surprise absentee among five contenders to succeed Eddie Jones as England head coach, according to bookmakers. Jones will be stepping down from his role after the 2023 World Cup in France, but the Australian is again under fire after the Roses suffered a shock 30-29 defeat by Argentina at Twickenham on Sunday. Earlier this year,…

All Black legend Jeff Wilson has come out strongly against current Crusaders head coach Scott "Razor" Robertson. Speaking as host on the highly popular "The Breakdown" show, Wilson blasted Robertson's latest interview where he stated his international ambitions. Currently under the most pressure since their shock 2007 World Cup quarterfinal exit.…

Here are the latest rugby headlines on Monday, March 21. Former WRU chief executive David Moffett says it would take him less than 12 months to sort out the mess in Welsh rugby. The man who oversaw the regional revolution back in 2003 has taken to social media to air his typically strident views, including a swipe at ex-Wales coach Warren…

After two makeshift seasons, Super Rugby is about to get a whole more super as the competition moves to a full-fledged Pacific competition. Making it all the more appealing for fans - and administrators - is that the competition's future will be announced Friday, with the competition to be set in stone until 2030. That will be music to the ears of…