The 2027 Rugby World Cup could present the perfect opportunity for Eddie Jones and Australia to bury the hatchet in pursuit of a bright new future.
That's according to former England attack coach Scott Wisemantel, who wants to see his old boss leading his native team once again. Jones, 62, led the Wallabies to a runner-up finish against England at the 2003 Rugby World Cup and was fired from the position at the end of 2005.
The Tasmania native's contract with the RFU is due to expire after next year's World Cup in France. With Australia poised to host the next global tournament four years later, Wisemantel believes now could be the opportune moment for the two parties to reunite.
"I'd love to have Eddie back in Australia," said Wallabies assistant Wisemantel. "In what capacity, I don't know, I just think he'd be great for the game heading into '27. Just the way that he promotes the game, the way he drums up business from your [media] end and interest."
Like Jones, Wisemantel has interest in both rugby codes and actually made his professional debut for the Parramatta Eels in 1988. It just so happens his former England chief has been linked with the National Rugby League (NRL) amid rumours he could take over the South Sydney Rabbitohs next year.
Wisemantel has worked as part of Jones' England staff on multiple occasions and was part of his team with Japan at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. However, he was eager to underline his faith in the incumbent, Dave Rennie, who recently lost a summer series at home to the Red Rose.
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"I'm biased because I'm mates with him and I've worked with him," added the former Waratahs and Montpellier coach. "But at the same time - and I want to make this really, really clear, so you can't draw a bow that Wisemantel wants Eddie Jones back - I think Dave Rennie and this coaching staff are exceptional."
Not long after his stint as Australia head coach ended, Jones was criticised by some in Australia for helping rivals South Africa win the 2007 World Cup as an advisor. A return to his homeland would represent a coming-full-circle moment for both, albeit still unlikely as things stand.
Those tensions were laid bare when Jones almost got into a scuffle with one Australian fan who called him "a traitor" following England's series-clinching win over the Wallabies in Sydney. Rennie initially got off to a fine start as Wallabies coach but could come under increasing pressure to be replaced if his win percentage continues to decline.
