Samu Kerevi attributes Eddie Jones’s management style controversy to cultural differences

Australia’s centre, Samu Kerevi, has suggested that the debate surrounding former England coach Eddie Jones’s management approach could stem from cultural variations among different groups of players. Jones, who guided England to three Six Nations titles and a Rugby World Cup final between 2016 and 2022, recently faced criticism from former England scrum-half Danny Care. Excerpts from a book, serialised by the Times, reveal Care’s description of Jones fostering a “toxic environment,” where the Australian coach allegedly belittled and berated both players and staff. Kerevi, 31, commented on his experience working with Jones, stating, “I wouldn’t say terrifying.” He added, “It’s how you take it. I grew up in a different culture to what it is now in rugby.” “I’ve got a good relationship with Eddie,” Kerevi affirmed. “I think he puts pressure, not just on the players, but the staff.” He further elaborated, “I think that’s what Danny Care’s talking about, but again, it’s how you receive it. Whether you thrive under it.” Kerevi played for an Australia team that did not advance past the pool stages of the 2023 Rugby World Cup during Jones’s second tenure leading his home nation. The 64-year-old Jones also coached Kerevi at the Japanese club Tokyo Sungoliath. Jones maintained his consultancy role with the team during his period as England coach. Care himself acknowledged that Jones’s methods proved effective, at least in the short term. Speaking to Rugby Union Weekly, Care stated, “I stand by the fact – and I say it in the book – that Eddie is still the best coach that I have ever worked with.” He added, “He gave me some of the greatest memories of my rugby career – that came at a price.” Care reflected, “Maybe it had to be that way to get the success that we had. Maybe you have to go through some really tough times, and be that driven, and there be that much pressure, to get that. But I don’t think that can last forever, there is a timeline in that and it came to a period where it was too much for us as players and you saw a bit of a downward spiral.” Care was excluded from the England squad for several years following Jones’s dissatisfaction with his performance against Japan during the 2018 autumn internationals. Jones achieved victory in his initial 17 matches as England coach but was dismissed in December 2022, having secured only five wins from 12 games in his last year at the helm. His tenure concluded with a 73% win percentage, surpassing that of Rugby World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward. In a June interview with the Times, Jones denied being overbearing during his time coaching England, though he conceded he might have been in earlier positions. At that time, Jones further stated, “Players just aren’t pushed hard enough to become their best. Not because of where they come from, but because of the environment they’re in.” He continued, “In England, there is the comfortability of the clubs; they can survive at the clubs just being a player and they’re not pushed to go to the next level.” Care additionally alleged that Saracens playmaker Alex Goode, who earned only four caps under Jones, was removed from the England squad following a disagreement with the coach. Care recounted, “We saw Alex Goode, European player of the year, come in and have a slight disagreement between him, the physios and Eddie, a slight miscommunication and he was never seen again. It was crazy. And the players see that.” He further commented on Jones’s influence, saying, “Eddie was so unbelievably powerful, he could define your career – you could get one cap, say the wrong thing and never be seen again.” Jones currently serves as the head coach for Japan, a team scheduled to play England on 24 November.