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SYDNEY - Wallabies coaching candidate John Muggleton says rival Alan Jones should be brought back as a motivational speaker to the Australian side rather than coach.
Muggleton, Australia's long-serving assistant coach, is one of five candidates - along with Jones, David Nucifora, Ewen McKenzie and Laurie Fisher - interviewed by the Australian Rugby Union last week for the vacant Wallabies head coaching position.
The defensive specialist was blunt about Jones' candidature last week, saying: "I think I had an advantage over Alan because I have coached this century" in reference to the fact Jones last coached the Wallabies in 1987.
And while he today reiterated his opinion Jones should not be appointed head coach, Muggleton said the broadcaster should be involved in some capacity and he would be happy to work with him.
"If I was head coach, the first thing I would do would be write a letter to Alan and ask him to do what he used to do in the Rod McQueen (Wallabies coach 1997-2001) era," Muggleton said.
"He used to come down to Melbourne - it used to be a bit of a tradition - and talk to the team before the test matches in Melbourne and I found that really refreshing and I enjoyed his talks and the motivation he gave.
"I think that's the role that he should have ... We haven't had that for a few years with he and Eddie's (former coach Eddie Jones) relationship not being the best to say the least.
"I think he needs to be involved in some capacity but I think it's simplistic to think he can just walk through the door and do the coaching job."
Asked whether he would be prepared to remain an assistant coach if Jones was appointed head coach, Muggleton said: "I wouldn't have a problem with it.
"That would have to be up to them ... I'm a fulltime employee of the ARU, I'm not on contract, so when the new coaches come in they tend to get me."
Although many may view the appointment of Jones as a risk given his time out of the job, Muggleton believed going with him would be the easy option for the ARU.
"I don't think Alan Jones is a risk, I think that's the easy option to appoint Alan," he said.
"You don't get any backlash off it."
Muggleton, who rates himself a 12-1 chance of landing the role, believes the ARU are looking for "something different" and was confident he could offer it.
"I'm fairly confident that I got across the point that I'm the only one who's different out of them (the five candidates)," Muggleton said.
"I do think differently to other people, if they want to go that way, if they want to take a risk.
"Either way, I enjoy my job. I'm not saying the other guys aren't worthy candidates, I just think I could do a good job."
- AAP
