Wallabies star Samu Kerevi reveals he speaks regularly to England boss Eddie Jones

Australia centre Samu Kerevi has revealed he has been in contact with England head coach Eddie Jones ‘throughout the year’ ahead of the two teams meeting in a crunch three-Test series.

Kerevi admitted in April he had been working directly with Jones at Japanese side Suntory Sungoliath – the club at which Jones has held a consultancy role for more than 20 years.

But his closeness with players from England’s rivals has long raised questions of a conflict of interest. 

Australia centre Samu Kerevi has credited Eddie Jones with helping him develop his game 

Kerevi is set to start Australia’s first Test against England in Perth a week on Saturday.

‘He’s one of the top coaches in world rugby, but he’s also a top bloke,’ Kerevi said of Jones.

‘I talked to him throughout the year and he sends me messages. When you sit down with him, he’s got some great learnings for me as a player. That’s what I love about him.

‘He gives me pointers of where I can get better. When he’s at Suntory, he wants the team and the organisation to get better. It’s nothing to do with the Wallabies or England.

‘He’s just there to help those Japanese players and the foreigners.’

Jones and England take on Australia in Perth in the first of three Tests next weekend

The Wallabies have lost their last eight Tests against England, with the most recent defeat coming in November last year when they were outclassed 32-15 at Twickenham (above)

The fact Jones is helping England’s opposition players improve will no doubt infuriate the country’s supporters after a year in which the team has won just two matches.

England lost four of their six games in the Six Nations, beating only Italy and Wales.

They travelled to Australia this week on the back of a humiliating 52-21 defeat by a 14-man Barbarians side.

The RFU have constantly insisted they have no problems with Jones’ Suntory role while it is understood the man himself feels he benefits from it just as much as players like Kerevi do.

‘I think it’s a storm in a teacup. It’s not like he’s giving away any England secrets. He (Jones) is a really top man,’ said Kerevi, who apologised to Jones for his revelations after the Six Nations.

Kerevi and Jones formed their strong relationship at Suntory Goliath, the Japanese club the Wallabies winger has played for since 2020 (above) 

Kerevi played against England as they demolished Australia 40-16 at the 2019 RWC (above)