Japan head coach Eddie Jones has named five rugby league players that he believes would make a major impact in rugby union.<\/p>\n
Appearing on FanaticsTV<\/a>, Jones opened up about his rise into coaching, his time as a high school principal, his exit from England, and the relationship between rugby league and union in Australia.<\/p>\n Admitting that he\u2019d have loved to have been a rugby league coach, having first got into the game through that code, Jones<\/a> discussed some of the hottest talents in the game today.<\/p>\n Asked which players he believed could make an impact in union if they were to make the switch, Jones gave a list of five names.<\/p>\n 1 Nathan Cleary<\/p>\n Age: 28<\/p>\n Position: Halfback<\/p>\n Club: Penrith Panthers<\/p>\n Fun fact: Was the youngest player in over a century to become the\u00a0leading point-scorer in the NRL (228 points) in 2017.<\/p>\n What Eddie Jones said about him: \u201cFirst one has to be the Penrith halfback. He could slot in and play ten in any team in the world, and he\u2019d be absolutely outstanding. He\u2019s got the whole game. He\u2019s tough, he can kick, he can run, he can tackle. He can do everything. He can goal kick and obviously makes good decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n 2 Cameron Murray<\/p>\n Age: 28<\/p>\n Position: Lock<\/p>\n Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs<\/p>\n Fun fact: Club captain and 2021 World Cup<\/a> winner with the Kangaroos.<\/p>\n What Eddie Jones said about him: \u201cGot great leg speed, he always gets through the tackle. For a forward, he\u2019s got a passing game. And in rugby, I think he could play either 12 or openside flanker. He\u2019s quick enough to play 12, and he\u2019d make the transition really well, smart player, and by all accounts, a great teammate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018He\u2019s on their radar\u2019 \u2013 England prodigy\u2019s Test credentials outlined following \u2018standout\u2019 PREM display<\/a><\/p>\n 3 Liam Martin<\/p>\n Age: 29<\/p>\n Position: Second row<\/p>\n Club: Penrith Panthers<\/p>\n Fun fact: Was named in the Rugby League World Cup Team of the Tournament\u00a0in 2021.<\/p>\n What Eddie Jones said about him: \u201cTough, no nonsense, a good carrier. He\u2019d probably play seven. He\u2019d be absolutely outstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n 4 Erin Clark<\/p>\n Age: 28<\/p>\n Position: Lock<\/p>\n Club: New Zealand Warriors<\/p>\n Fun fact: He played all 24 matches in 2024, averaging 100 metres and 22 tackles a game \u2013 only missing 14 tackles all season.<\/p>\n What Eddie Jones said about him: \u201cErin Clark? To me, he\u2019s one of the best carriers going around. Great footwork. He\u2019s low to the ground, powerful. He\u2019d be a back-row as well.\u201d<\/p>\n 5 Stephen Crichton<\/p>\n Age: 25<\/p>\n Position: Centre<\/p>\n Club: Canterbury Bulldogs<\/p>\n Fun fact: Took Samoa to their first World Cup Final in 2022 thanks to a dramatic field goal against England in the semi-final.<\/p>\n What Eddie Jones said about him: \u201cHe\u2019s got everything. Can be a big player, one-on-one, aggressive, good defensive player, leader, kicks, goals. So, he\u2019d be pretty handy.\u201d<\/p>\n While Jones credited the rugby league players for their impressive talents, he did admit that there were a few boys who could make the return journey. He picked out Wallabies star Max\u00a0Jorgensen<\/a>, who came from league initially, Caleb Clarke from the All Blacks, and Frenchman Antoine Dupont, claiming each of them could \u201cmake it\u201d in the NRL.<\/p>\n