Eddie Jones has had another interview to become head coach of Japan’s national rugby team, just weeks after resigning from his position with Australia following the Wallabies’ failed World Cup campaign.
Jones arrived at the Royal Park Hotel in Tokyo on Thursday morning for his in-person interview with the Japan Rugby Football Union.
The 63-year-old, who moved permanently to Japan last month, is hoping to take over the Brave Blossoms from next year on a four-year deal until the 2027 World Cup.
This masthead broke the news during the recent World Cup in France that Jones had undertaken a first-round interview with the JRFU on August 25, via Zoom, just days out from the start of the tournament.
Jones has denied the report – and any links with the Japan head coaching role – more than a dozen times. Jones has been contacted for comment.
This masthead reported in September that while Jones was Wallabies coach, a second interview had been organised. Jones denied this.
Eddie Jones resigned as Wallabies coach in October after failing to make it out of the World Cup group stage.Credit: Getty
In late October, Jones resigned as Wallabies coach, less than 10 months into a five-year deal, following Australia’s disastrous World Cup campaign in which the team did not make the knockout stages for the first time.
JRFU president Masato Tsuchida, a long-time friend of Jones, was present for Thursday’s interview. The organisation’s CEO, Kensuke Iwabuchi, also sat on the panel, which will decide on Jamie Joseph’s replacement in coming days.
Jones has maintained for months that he did not take part in the formal process before Australia’s World Cup campaign. Applications for the role closed on August 18.
The panel will inform the JRFU board of its decision later this month. Provided there is board sign-off, an announcement will be made before Christmas.
South African coach Frans Ludeke was also interviewed on Thursday. The former Super Rugby-winning Bulls coach, who is now with Japanese team Kubota Spears, has already publicly confirmed he was in the running to become Japan coach.
In September, the JRFU refused to confirm that Jones took part in a first-round interview in August, with four years remaining on his Wallabies deal.
Jones has said this masthead’s initial report was unsourced and that it did not take place.
Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh and former chairman Hamish McLennan asked Jones about the links to Japan. He told both men nothing took place. Jones also assured Wallabies players during the World Cup that he was committed to Australian rugby in the long term.
After Australia’s 40-6 loss to Wales, which effectively ended their tournament, Jones was asked if he had a second interview lined up with the JRFU. “I don’t know what you’re talking about mate,” Jones said.
Asked if he could give Wallabies fans his commitment that he would not be coach of Japan next year, Jones said: “I’m committed to coaching Australia.”
News of another interview with Japan is unlikely to go down well with Wallabies players or fans.
Wallabies centre Lalakai Foketi admitted on Wednesday that it would “hurt” if Jones did end up getting the Japan role.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Foketi told reporters. “I think it would hurt a little bit just because of all the chat around [it] before [the Wales game],” Foketi said.
McLennan was scathing of Jones in a radio interview last month if it was proven that he wanted the Japan job.
“If it is true that he did that … that’s terrible and appalling … especially when you’re leading into a World Cup and your focus should be on the team,” McLennan said on 2GB. “He denied it and his agent said it was completely untrue. If he did do it, terrible form.”
