Jones issues backing to Cheika

England coach Eddie Jones is adamant departing Australia chief Michael Cheika still has plenty to offer rugby union. England thumped Australia 40-16 in the World Cup quarter-final last Saturday which proved to be Cheika’s last match in charge of the Wallabies. It brought to an end his five-year tenure, during which he helped Australia reach the final in the 2015 World Cup before losing to New Zealand 34-17. He was also victorious in the Rugby Championship in 2015 and won the World Rugby Coach of the Year 2015. However, criticism from fans back in Australia led to the 52-year-old tendering his resignation. Jones, who has known Cheika from their time at Sydney’s Randwick club, says he will come back again as a coach. “It’s never pleasant when you lose your job – it’s tough, there are various comments made, I do feel for him personally,” said Jones. “He’s put some pride back into Australia rugby. We all make mistakes and do silly things, he’s just human. He’s given that job all he can and he got Australia out of a difficult situation and got them to a World Cup final in 2015 and I’m sure he will rise again as a coach.”