Wallabies legend and NRL premiership coach knocked back Eddie Jones rugby union lures – but why?

Wallabies legend Stephen Larkham and top-ranked NRL manager Michael Maguire have revealed they rejected Eddie Jones’ approaches.

Jones, 63, newly appointed Australia manager, is still finalizing his support squad ahead of the World Cup on September 8, but Larkham and ‘Madge’ will not be by his side in France.

Larkham confirmed that his main focus remains head coaching for the ACT Brumbies, while Maguire will continue to work as a consultant at Canberra Raiders under Ricky Stuart.

“No, no, it’s something I haven’t talked to Eddie about,” Larkham said at the Australian launch of the Super Pacific rugby season on Wednesday in Sydney.

‘Ultimately, we (Brumbies) have some goals that we have set out to achieve this year as an organization.

Eddie Jones is still finalizing his Wallabies support staff ahead of the Rugby World Cup in France from 8 September.

Jones approached the NRL’s top-ranked manager Michael Maguire to be his assistant; ‘Madge’ politely refused.

Wallabies great Stephen Larkham has also confirmed that he will remain head coach of the ACT Brumbies rather than work directly with Jones at the World Cup and potentially beyond.

“But when you look at the big picture, (we are all) developing players for the World Cup, so we all have a helping hand.”

Maguire considered jump codes, but ultimately chose to remain loyal to Stuart, a close friend and former teammate in lime green in the 1990s.

He had the opportunity to be Jones’s assistant.

“I would love to work with Eddie,” Maguire told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘I love his mentality; he trains his players to a high level, and we probably have the same mentality in a lot of the things we do.

‘[But] Right now, I am really enjoying my time in Canberra. The idea of ​​winning another [league] competition, whether it’s here or wherever, I’m really looking forward to that one more time.’

Maguire informed Stuart of the approach of Jones and Rugby Australia, with ‘Sticky’ paying homage to the character of the former Rabbitohs mentor.

‘I have no doubt that Madge will once again be a head coach in the NRL; I think she won’t be far behind,” she said.

“He will be coaching the NRL again, so it was a very smart decision not to jump into rugby union.”

“He’s just taking a break from the head coaching role and revamping himself to come back.”