News

Jones staying in Red

Wednesday 28th March 2007

The Reds, for the second time in as many days, have denied that coach Eddie Jones is about to be fired or will resign as mentor of the team currently stuck at the bottom of the Super 14 standings.

Media reports earlier this week suggested that Jones had been told to quit or he'll be fired.

However, this was denied by Reds officials on Tuesday and again on Wednesday.

In a media statement issued on Wednesday Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) chairman Peter Lewis said that he and the Reds coach, Jones, met earlier in the day to discuss a number of issues - which included the recent media speculation about Jones's coaching future at the Reds.

Lewis said both were mystified and disappointed at the speculation that Jones was about to quit or be sacked.

"Eddie is staying right where he is. We're happy with the work Eddie's been doing and Eddie is enjoying coaching the team," Lewis said.

Lewis said QRU CEO Ken Freer had been unable to join Wednesday's meeting as he had been in Sydney on Australian Rugby Union (ARU) business over the past two days, but the three would get together for their regular management meeting on Monday.

"This meeting was scheduled to take place after the bye. We'll go ahead with that as planned and I look forward to hearing Eddie's plan for the remainder of the season and preparations for next year," Lewis said.