Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has identified five NRL players he believes could seamlessly transition to rugby union. Speaking on player agent Steve Gillis' Chiming In podcast, Jones highlighted Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary as his top pick, noting that Cleary is off-contract at the end of 2027.
Surprise selection: Erin Clark
Jones pointed to Warriors forward Erin Clark as a potential sensation in the 15-man game. He described Clark as 'one of the best carriers around' with great footwork, low to the ground, and powerful, suggesting he would play in the back row in rugby.
Other nominees
The other players Jones nominated were Rabbitohs lock Cameron Murray, Penrith second-rower Liam Martin, and Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton. While Murray attended Newington College and was a standout in the school's first XV, Martin and Crichton do not have rugby backgrounds.
Rugby league to union trend
Joseph Suaalii recently defected from the Roosters at the end of the 2024 NRL season, and he will be joined by Tricolours duo Angus Crichton and Mark Nawaqanitawase ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Jones' coaching career
Jones, 66, has been the head coach of Japan since 2024, his second stint in charge of the Cherry Blossoms. He previously coached England between 2015 and 2022 and infamously led the Wallabies during the 2023 World Cup, where they failed to progress beyond the group stage for the first time. An embarrassing 22-15 defeat to Fiji, the first time Australia had lost to the Pacific nation in 69 years, effectively sealed his fate.
'[I] gave it a run. Hopefully it will be the catalyst for change. Sometimes you have to eat s*it for others to eat caviar further down the track,' Jones said after resigning as head coach. He was just 10 months into a five-year, $5 million deal with Rugby Australia. During his second stint in charge, Australia won only two of nine Tests.
Before coaching, Jones was a fan favourite with Randwick in Sydney club rugby. The hooker played 210 games for the Galloping Greens between 1981 and 1991, winning multiple premierships.
