Eddie Jones has blamed a 22-year feud for his sacking as Wallabies coach. The 45-year-old was axed on Friday after Australia lost eight of their last nine games - their worst run for 36 years.
And Jones accused former Wallabies boss Alan Jones of orchestrating the move because of a remark he made as a player while Alan Jones coached Manly in 1983.
"Ever since I took on the job he's been trying to get me out," Eddie Jones told Australia's Daily Telegraph newspaper.
"Alan and I had a disagreement when I was a player and he was a coach."
He is alleged to have verbally abused Alan Jones' favourite players but insisted "that's a long time ago".
 |  I've always said that if the job becomes available down the track, I'd apply for it |
Alan Jones has been among his namesake's harshest critics as the host of Australia's top-rating radio talk show. "What on earth does this man do for the money he is paid?" he said on his radio show this week.
"We have outstanding players. We are smack bang in the middle of a leadership that can't adjust to the modern demands, a leadership that can't co-ordinate the team to meet the challenge offered on the other side."
Meanwhile, Ewen McKenzie, the front-runner to take over the post of Wallabies boss, has admitted he would relish taking over the role.
"I've always said that if the job becomes available down the track, then I would apply for it," he said.
"I'm fully committed to coaching the Waratahs next year but see no reason why I couldn't make the transition to the national job immediately afterwards, if I was the successful candidate."
MMIX
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