Eddie Jones: My life and rugby

Book Title: MY LIFE AND RUGBY: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Author: Eddie Jones

Published By: Macmillan The year is 2020 and autobiographies are endearing themselves among literature enthusiasts the world over.

“South Africa have got a history of being the most physically intimidating team in the world and they have a massively aggressive forward pack.”

The Springboks figure prominently in Jones’ memoir. It starts off with that famous win for Japan in the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England when the team he coached caused one of the greatest upsets in international rugby by beating the Boks.

Jones was also part of Jake White’s coaching team that helped steer the Boks to World Cup victory in 2007. And, of course, his England team got beaten by the Boks in the 2019 tournament.

This autobiography recounts Jones’ many achievements as a coach – winning the Super 12 with the Brumbies and triumphing in backtoback Six Nations Championships with England – but also his greatest defeats and disappointments, among them as coach of Australia losing the 2003 World Cup.

Apart from the rugby, it also tells the tale of a young boy – part Australian, part Japanese – growing up and having to face racial discrimination. And Jones comes across as honest and humble. Worth reading if you’re a rugby fanatic.