All the attributes of a successful coach’: Eddie Jones backs Ryles’ Eels appointment
Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has lauded Parramatta’s appointment of Jason Ryles, declaring the rookie mentor has “all the attributes of a successful coach”.
Ryles pipped Josh Hannay, Dean Young and Trent Barrett for the post, signing a four-year deal to take over as the long-term replacement for Brad Arthur. The Storm assistant has previously worked alongside Jones during stints with England and Australian rugby to broaden his skills and knowledge.
Jones said he was impressed with Ryles’ willingness to learn and believes he will be successful at the blue and golds.
“I’ve got no doubt he’s ready,” Jones told this masthead from Japan. “He’s done his time as an assistant coach. He’s always been diligent and been quite adventurous. For an out-and-out league player to be involved in rugby, it’s not an easy task.
“They both have the same principles of play in getting the ball forward, but the intricacies of it are completely different. When he came over and helped with England, he was a bit of a character who knows his stuff really well.
“He develops good rapport with the players and is good with the coaches. He’s got all the attributes of a successful coach. He’s done a lot of time with [Storm coach] Craig [Bellamy], he couldn’t be better prepared.”
Jones has long held an interest in rugby league and regularly employed NRL figures as part of his staff. He couldn’t have been more impressed with Ryles.
“He’s been really purposeful in developing his coaching career,” Jones said. “When he was with the Storm, I remember we got him to come over a couple of times in November.
“He was always really engaged in the coaching process. Some guys want to coach and other guys want to be a coach; he wants to be a coach, it wasn’t just a job for him. By getting the Parramatta job, it’s a reflection of how much work he’s done.”
Jones has kept in touch with Ryles as the former NSW and Australian prop considered the Dragons and Eels jobs.
“He obviously thinks it is [a good fit], which probably makes it right,” he said. “I remember speaking to him after St George [Illawarra] and, without going through all the details, he was very intelligent about how he made the decision.
“Parramatta has obviously got the right ingredients, it’s going to be a bit of a different mix, and he understands that and will get the mix right for them.”
Jones believes Ryles has both the tactical acumen and man-management skills to lead a Parramatta resurgence.
“He’s always been really good with the players, I’d describe him as a players’ coach,” Jones said. “He engages the players, he spends time with them and Rylesy was a bit of a larrikin. But he always knew how to draw the line between being a coach and too close to the players.
Jones said Ryles’ communication skills were one of his greatest strengths.
”He has enough technical nous, but doesn’t overcomplicate things. One of the main jobs as a coach is to be a simplifier, not a complicator,” Jones said. ”I think he’s had enough experience to know what is important.
Just so that he has got a bit of counsel there. Parramatta is one of those clubs where they expect you to win. If you’re not winning there’s a fair bit of pressure there.
After working with Jason Ryles during recent rugby campaigns, the former Wallabies coach believes Parramatta are onto a winner with their new mentor.
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