Jones commited to Suntory

Rich Freeman / Daily Yomiuri Sportswriter

Suntory Sungoliath's Eddie Jones dismissed Jake White's comments that he was ready to help White at the helm of South Africa should Peter de Villiers get the chop following the Springboks' disastrous Tri-Nations campaign.

White, who led the Springboks to victory at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, was quoted on the supersport.com Web site as saying: "I am ready to do a hospital job...if the South African Rugby Union wants me."

White went on to say that he would link up with Jones, who was on the Springboks' technical staff in France for the World Cup.

"Neither myself or Eddie are under contract with anyone at the moment. We can start next week."

Jones told The Daily Yomiuri on Tuesday that was this simply not the case and he had no intention of giving up his job as head coach of the Sungoliath.

"I am absolutely commited to Suntory," said Jones, who signed a four-year contract in the offseason with the club, having spent the previous season as its director of rugby.

"We have started a project and are right at the start of it," the 50-year-old former Wallabies coach said. "I am not going anywhere. Jake and I are good mates and I would like to help him out, but not now. It's simply not possible."

However, he did admit there was a chance he could repeat his role of 2007.

"I was with Jake and the Springboks for 14 weeks the last time around," he explained.

Jones said that with the 2011-12 Top League season likely to start after the World Cup in New Zealand, there was the possibility of taking a short sabbatical.

But, he stressed, it would have to be done with the permission of the club.

"If the offer is there, I will talk to the company and see what can be done. But it would not be full-time."

Suntory opened this year's Top League campaign with a 18-10 loss to Toyota Verblitz, but Jones is convinced his side's new attacking style will eventually pay off.

"You have to go through some pain before you get joy," he said.