Human 40: Eddie Jones

Head Coach of England Rugby

Eddie Jones is the current Head Coach of England Rugby. After only a year under his guidance, Eddie’s England became the second international team in history to go an entire calendar year unbeaten and won their first Grand Slam in over a decade. Following these achievements, Eddie was named World Rugby Coach of the Year in 2017. Before arriving in England, Eddie coached internationally with the Wallabies, South Africa and Japan, and has had extensive experience at the provincial level across the globe. With a career spanning two decades and four World Cups, Eddie has become one of the most recognisable and decorated coaches in the game.

Eddie is a human mammal. Here are his thoughts:

What brings you the most joy in life?

Seeing players, or a team, play above themselves.

What does success mean to you?

Success is transient – you are either moving towards it or away from it.

What do you see as your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement is yet to come.

What are you most grateful for?

I’m most grateful for my parents’ guidance.

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I studied French post university because I wanted to play rugby in France.

Who or what has had the biggest influence on your life?

My parents.

What do you regret?

I regret not being a better father to my daughter.

Has there been a defining moment in your life? Can you tell us about it?

Having a stroke in 2013 was a defining moment for me. It made me more focused on wanting to be the best I could possibly be, and made me more caring of others.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

As a kid, I wanted to be Ian Chappell – bat third, field at first slip.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Go slowly.

What is the most important thing we can teach kids in school?

We should teach kids to appreciate the fundamentals of life – learn and be curious.

If you could have a conversation with anyone, living or dead, who would you choose and why?

I’d like the opportunity to tell my father how much I treasured his guidance.

What do you doubt most?

Doubt everything.

When did you last have a significant change of mind?

Before the 2015 Rugby World Cup – I reneged on my decision to do another 4 years with Japan.

What is the role of luck in our lives?

The role of luck is huge. You get runs of good and bad. The harder you work, the luckier you get.

Do you have a favourite quote? What is it? Why do you like it?

“The only magic in this world is hard work, discipline, and an iron will.” - Indira Gandhi

What would you do with your life if you had unlimited financial resources?

Nothing changes.

If you could have the definitive answer to a single question, what would you ask?

How to win 100% of the time.

What concept/fact/idea should every human on the planet understand?

The value of respect.

Do human beings have free will?

We have will…

Do you believe in God?

Yes.

Could we be living in a simulated universe?

No idea.

Will the continual development of technology have a net positive or negative influence on humanity?

Positive.

What is the single greatest achievement of humanity?

Evolving.

What do you see as the biggest existential threat to humanity?

To stop evolving.

What does it mean to live a good life?

To live with respect.

What is a good death?

To die with respect.

What question should I have asked you?

Why ask me?

Thanks for you time, Eddie!

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