Eddie Jones will front a press conference at Coogee on Tuesday morning where he will give his side of a World Cup horror story that still has unfinished chapters.
The World Cup put on a weekend of thrilling quarter-finals in France, reminding Jones and his employers at Rugby Australia of what the Wallabies missed out on after their humiliating pool stage exit.
Jones arrived at Sydney Airport last Thursday evening after a long flight from Europe that would have allowed him plenty of time to consider his own future.
Jones’ repeated denials that he has spoken to the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) have not quelled speculation that he will return to the Brave Blossoms. It is finally time for clarity, and here are the questions that Jones needs to answer tomorrow.
Have you been speaking to Japan rugby officials or any third parties regarding the possibility of taking Japan’s head coach position?
Jones has repeatedly denied that he has spoken to anyone at the JRFU and as late as last Thursday evening at Sydney airport he told a Channel 7 reporter: “I’ve had no discussions with them, mate.”
It is time to change tack. Maybe he hasn’t spoken to the JRFU directly, but has Jones had any discussions whatsoever with a third party regarding the top job with Japan?
Eddie Jones arrives back in Australia from France after Rugby World Cup campaignCredit: Channel 7
Often, high-level executive recruitment companies will conduct a lot of the preliminary discussions for a high-profile head coaching role. If Jones has engaged or spoken with any of them, now is the time to talk.
Finally, it’s known Jones enjoys a close relationship with JRFU President Masato Tsuchida. What, specifically, has he discussed with him in relation to the position, if anything?
You are contracted to 2027 as head coach of the Wallabies. Do you intend to fulfil the full term of your contract?
Jones is already on the record as saying he would only coach the Wallabies until this World Cup.
“I’m only coaching ’til this World Cup,” Jones told the Evening Standard rugby podcast in the UK in May. “I’ve signed [until the end of 2027], but as I’ve made the mistake before, I’ve stayed too long. So we win the World Cup, it will be time to go. If we lose the World Cup, it will be time to go.”
He has rowed back from this stance significantly since then, expressing annoyance when questions when asked about his commitment after the pool stage defeat against Wales.
“I take umbrage at the questioning [and] people questioning my commitment to coaching Australia,” Jones said. “I have been working non-stop since I came here and I apologise for the result. I keep saying that but to question my commitment to the job is a bit red-hot.”
The question needs to be asked again. As in politics, a week is a long time in rugby.
Do you have a release clause in your contract that would allow you to leave before 2027?
This question is crucial.
Like many head coaches, Jones may well have an exit clause in his contract that allows him to explore other roles. Hypothetically, an exit clause could be enacted for any number of reasons – for instance family commitments, a failure of Rugby Australia to fulfil pre-agreed commitments, or even to speak to another specific potential employer if the opportunity arises.
If he has a break clause in the contract, he needs to say so.
Jones was unveiled as Stormers coach on November 12, 2015… eight days later, he was off to take charge of England.Credit: Getty
In 2015, you sat in Cape Town as newly-appointed head coach of the Stormers and told the media there was no truth to the rumour that you were off to coach England. You left shortly after. How can we trust you now if you deny you’re off to Japan?
After fulfilling his commitments with Japan at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Jones was unveiled as the new coach of South African Super Rugby side the Stormers. However, reports were already linking him to the England job. At a press conference on November 12, Jones was asked if he was speaking to England about taking their top job, and denied it.
“No contact, mate, I am committed to the Stormers. I woke up this morning and looked at Table Top Mountain. So I am here,” Jones said.
Six days later, Jones again denied rumours about coaching England. Two days after that, he was announced as the new England coach.
Jones explained it had been a “sudden decision”. Can Australian rugby fans trust that there won’t be another similar quick decision regarding the Japan position? Once bitten, twice shy.
Do you believe you have lost the trust of Rugby Australia and the Australian rugby public?
This World Cup campaign has been an embarrassment for Australian rugby.
At a feisty press conference at Sydney airport before the Wallabies departed for France, an Akubra-clad Jones told the gathered media to “give yourselves uppercuts” for what he perceived as negative reporting. It set the tone for a disastrous World Cup.
The performances on the field were disjointed and the decision to leave veterans such as Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper at home in favour of a youthful, inexperienced squad was questioned.
On the eve of the pivotal pool match against Wales, this masthead revealed that Jones had secretly held a Zoom interview with Japan while in France days before the World Cup campaign began. The Wallabies lost to the Welsh 40-6.
The circus has followed Jones since his appointment in January, and he provides top billing. Is it time to bring the curtain down on his brief second act in Australia?
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