KEY POINTS:
Eddie Jones has changed his tune on Robbie Deans.
The former Wallabies rugby coach and assistant coach of the world champion Springboks at last year's World Cup was one of several high profile Aussies critical of Deans' Wallabies coaching appointment last December. Jones was concerned former All Black Deans may lack the passion required for the role.
But Jones, who was in Hawke's Bay on Tuesday night for a coaching clinic aimed at upskilling the province's premier club coaches, told SportToday he believed Deans would "do an excellent job with the Wallabies".
"The ARU [Australia Rugby Union] have made their decision and I wish Robbie well," said Jones.
The former Brumbies and Queensland coach who recently completed his first season of a three-season contract with English club Saracens even backed Deans' Crusaders to win Saturday night's Super 14 final against the Waratahs in Christchurch.
"New South Wales are the form team but the Crusaders showed last weekend what they can do with the home crowd behind them. Crusaders by five and if you want a score I'll go with 23-18," he said.
Jones has been a regular at International Rugby Academy of New Zealand (IRANZ) courses since the academy began eight years ago and he said he had always been impressed by the Hawke's Bay youngsters at the courses.
"I was a big fan of the Hawke's Bay sides in the 1960s and last year's Magpies reminded me of those sides. Peter [coach Peter Russell] is doing a great job," said Jones.
He was equally impressed with the Kelt Capital Magpies wider training squad's work ethics in the 40 minutes he spent with the bunch on Tuesday night.
Jones said if there was one player in the squad he could take back to the Saracens it would be No 8 George Naoupu.
"George reminded me of another fine Hawke's Bay No 8 I had at the Brumbies back in 1999," he said referring to Gordon Falcon.
Jones, who intends to return to international coaching when his Saracens contract ends, was accompanied by IRANZ director and former All Blacks No 8 Murray Mexted who stressed the importance of provincial unions investing in their youth.
"Hawke's Bay have had 46 players and 11 coaches more than any other union attend the academy. It was no surprise to me the Magpies made the Air New Zealand Cup semifinals last year ... your union is doing things right," he said.
Mexted, who is also a television commentator, pointed out the academy caters for youngsters from 15 years up.
Three of this season's Super 14 coaches are attending this week's course.
While Mexted didn't have a prediction for Saturday night's final he predicted one of the academy's specialist coaches, former All Blacks loosie Pat Lam, will be the next Blues coach.
- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY
