Mitchell not after Wallabies job

John Mitchell (left) and Eddie Jones

SYDNEY - Former All Blacks coach John Mitchell is not interested in succeeding Eddie Jones, but he is willing to help sort out the Wallabies' dysfunctional scrum -- if asked.

Mitchell has been touted as a potential replacement for Jones but today said he was concentrating on preparing expansion team Western Force for the inaugural Super 14.

"My focus and priority is with the Western Force. I have signed for three years and I will abide by that," Mitchell confirmed while leaving the door open on an advisory role.

Should Jones be axed by the Australian Rugby Union, as is expected today, New South Wales Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie is thought to be the frontrunner for the job of getting the Australians back on track for the 2007 World Cup.

Mitchell said he was happy to advise the forwards but not take on an official role as assistant coach.

"My mission and responsibility is to help promote and develop Australian rugby and our objective at the Western Force is to grow rugby and grow Wallabies," he told the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

"It should be the mission and responsibility of every Super 14 team.

"If that means helping the head coach of a national team that's not performing then, as a club, we have a moral obligation to help.

"If it didn't compromise my position -- and I'd have to discuss it with my board and CEO -- then I'd help in any way I could."

Mitchell wrote in Perth's Sunday Times newspaper last weekend that the Wallabies' scrum problems were not insurmountable.

"It's pretty simple science, coaches at all levels have to stop selecting packs who're all back rowers," he said.

"It's not hard to recognise sides that are performing at scrum time have big aggressive loose-head props and at contest time it allows them to become a weapon."

He said Australia needed to develop an approach where scrums last longer to provide a solid platform.

"We have to look at finding big powerful front rowers and develop them. It's just a matter of spending time in that area," he said.

Speaking on radio on his way to ARU headquarters in Sydney, Jones said he would not step down but would accept the decision if he is axed.

The Australian newspaper today reported "overseas sources" as confirming Jones' departure despite being currently contracted until the end of the 2007 World Cup.

Jones told Radio 2KY he took full responsibility for the Wallabies' recent poor record but that he still believed he was the right man for the job.

Asked if he'd been alerted that he would be sacked, he said he was not aware of it but that he'd spoken with some ARU officials.

The Australian said Jones was expected to continue his career in a new role as coach of the Japanese national team.

The recent four test tour to Europe produced only a win over Ireland and will be remembered for the embarrassing scrummaging lesson dealt out by the English pack at Twickenham.

Jones had been expected to present his case for being retained to the ARU board next week, but this morning's announcement may make that appointment unnecessary.

NSW coach Ewen McKenzie, Auckland coach David Nucifora and former Queensland coach John Connolly are all in the running to replace Jones.

- NZPA, AAP