Wallaby coach Jones backs Woodward’s Lions plans
Woodward took the decision to name separate coaching teams for the midweek and test squads after studying where the 2001 Lions tour to Australia had failed.
His policy "two sets of coaches, one playing squad" has been derided in some quarters, with former All Black great Colin Meads describing it as a "ridiculous waste of money".
But Jones, who has not always been Woodward's biggest champion, insisted it would be "impossible" for him to approach the 12-match Lions tour in any other way.
"I think what Clive is saying is 100% right. Players don't play two games a week now. The games are too hard," said Jones.
"When it was amateur you could turn up three days before the game and put a game-plan together. What were the lineout calls? You have front middle and back. That was it. That was all you had to practice. Now every team has 25 options at their lineout.
"So to expect one coaching staff to coach on a Wednesday and Saturday is just impossible.
"All Clive has done, which is quite smart of him, is to put the right sort of management staff in place for the tour they are going to have."
Jones is in London with the Australia squad preparing for the first of two tests against Scotland on Saturday. The Wallabies also play France and England but their European tour is nothing like the trips of old.
Jones would welcome a return to the traditional Grand Slam tour, including midweek matches, but to do so he would have to lead a party not far short of 70 44 players, 26 management that Woodward is taking to New Zealand.
"The other part of the explanation is why don't sides have tours? For the same reason," said Jones.
"If we wanted to have a proper tour we'd have to take 38 players. If you take 38 players you'd have to take more staff because you can't handle it these days unless you play kick and chase."
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