Eddie Jones slams New Zealand Rugby over timing of Scott Robertson's appointment announcement

Australia head coach Eddie Jones has slammed New Zealand Rugby for their decision to announce the next All Blacks coach before the Rugby World Cup.

NZ Rugby named Scott Robertson as the new coach from 2024 while Ian Foster is still in charge with the Rugby World Cup scheduled this year in France.

Even though Robertson had considerable success in Super Rugby, Jones said the timing of the announcement was 'really poor' and could have a demoralising effect on Foster and the team.

"I think it's really poor how New Zealand Rugby have done it," Jones said on his podcast "Eddie".

"Ian Foster's here now, he's a good man, a good rugby man and he's given a lot to New Zealand Rugby as assistant coach and now head coach.

"I just think the timing's inappropriate, leading into a World Cup, naming their coach beforehand just causes another distraction they don't need.

"Maybe if they had their time again they'd handle it a little bit differently but... that seems to be the way of the world now."

Jones himself was sacked by England following the autumn internationals last year with Steve Borthwick replacing him. Under Borthwick, England finished fourth in the Six Nations 2023 competition behind Grand Slam winners Ireland, France and Scotland.