MITCHELL: I’M NOT AFTER EDDIE’S JOB
Kiwi insists ‘abrasive’ reputation is wrong & he has no plans to boss Red Rose
JOHN MITCHELL returned to England colours for the first time in two decades insisting he has no designs on Eddie Jones’ job.
The former All Blacks boss has been handed a one-year contract as Jones’ second-incommand and comes to the role with the same abrasive reputation as the Australian.
But Mitchell says his uncompromising image is at odds with reality – and that his motive for returning to a set-up he quit in 2000 is entirely honourable.
“People will speculate but the No.1 position is not even on my mind,” he said. “I have a job to do, I am on a one-year contract and I will fulfil that the best I can. Whatever happens after that, I will decide, but there is certainly no talk or ambition around that situation.”
The Rugby Football Union has spent £500,000 on a man Jones believes will help spark England back into life following five defeats in six Tests.
Mitchell’s coaching reputation as a bruiser who takes no prisoners was forged on England’s 1997 “Tour of Hell” when he worked alongside Clive Woodward. After the Red Rose were thrashed 76-0 by Australia, Woodward gave his stunned players the next day off – much to Mitchell’s annoyance.
Woodward held firm but, at 7am the following morning, Mitchell had his turn and beasted them in training. Six years ago he briefly returned to English rugby with Sale, declaring: “I’m not here to be liked. If there’s healthy tension, that’s a good thing.”
Little wonder some have questioned what England have brought upon themselves by putting workaholic Jones (left) and Mitchell together.
The 54-year-old New Zealander countered: “It’s funny the perception you create and I often laugh at it. For some reason people see that as the reality, and it’s not.
“I’ve seen the movie a few times, made mistakes. I’m comfortable in my own skin, in where I am at, and what I’ve got to do. I really believe we can get NEW RED ROSE KIT IS JUST WHITE NOISE better and be the best within a year’s time – and I believe I can play a part in that.”
It was unfortunate Mitchell’s unveiling coincided with that of a new kit apparently designed to send fans to sleep.
An RFU statement explained that the shirt design “takes inspiration from ‘white noise’, the effect created by the sound of England supporters cheering the team on”.
The term white noise is more commonly used to describe the sound created either by static from electrical items without signal – or to block out background noise in order to help people sleep.
Which could not be further from what Jones and Mitchell have in mind.