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BRISBANE - The Wallabies fear key tight-five secrets will be exposed with Eddie Jones set to sign on with South Africa for the rugby World Cup.
Australian forwards coaches Michael Foley and Alec Evans voiced concerns about Jones joining the Springboks staff just three months after quitting his Queensland post.
As coach of Super 14 wooden-spooners this season, Jones was privy to the work Foley and Evans put into the Reds pack as part of the national tight-five programme.
It has given him inside knowledge of Wallabies scrummaging, lineout and mauling techniques leading into the tournament where Australia might face South Africa in the play-offs.
Foley wouldn't judge Jones, Australian coach from 2001-2005, but had issues with the timing of his appointment and transfer of intellectual property.
"I can understand what's in it for South Africa and what's in it for Eddie but having been so close to Australian rugby so recently ... if it were me I would think it's too close, particularly in a World Cup year," the Wallabies assistant coach said.
"There has been information exchanged from national programmes, particularly with our scrummaging, into the provincial programs."
Wallabies skills coach and noted scrum doctor Evans doubled as a regular coaching consultant to Queensland during the Super 14 as a member of the tight-five school.
"I just think there were certain things that Eddie was privy to that he may not have been privy to if there was an understanding he may actually end up coaching a major international competitor," Foley said.
Jones, who spent last week with the Springboks in a consultant's role, is expected to reach an agreement in the next 24 hours to become coach Jake White's technical director at the tournament.
- AAP
