Eddie Jones leading race to be next Japan coach as he could quit Australia
Reports from Japan claim contract negotiations have been held and contact was made before Wallabies’ disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign
By Charles Richardson, Rugby Reporter 12 October 2023 • 10:15am
Eddie Jones is leading the race to be named as Japan’s next head coach after Australia failed to progress from the pool stages of the World Cup for the first time under his stewardship.
According to reports in Sponichi, the Japanese sports newspaper, Jones is expected to return as Jamie Joseph’s successor in the vacant head-coach role, with Japan also failing to progress to the quarter-finals of this year’s showpiece in France.
The Sydney Morning Herald explosively reported last month how Jones, who is under contract with Rugby Australia until the end of their home World Cup in 2027, had secretly interviewed with the Japan Rugby Football Union by video call before the start of the World Cup, just days before the Wallabies’ final warm-up fixture against the hosts.
The 63-year-old has denied that an interview even took place and repeatedly poured cold water on reports linking him with the Japan job.
“This spring, Masato Tsuchida, president of the Japan RFU, with whom he has had a honeymoon relationship since his days at Suntory, contacted him,” the Sponichi story read. “Contract negotiations have been held privately behind the scenes and preparations are under way for his first return since the 2015 World Cup, at which he led [Japan] to an historic three wins.”
Telegraph Sport understands from sources with knowledge of discussions that Jones was due at the JRFU headquarters originally on Sun Nov 5 to interview for the role for a second time, but that his involvement with the Barbarians’ fixture against Wales in Cardiff a day earlier - the Australian is coaching the invitational side alongside New Zealander Scott Robertson - resulted in a postponement.
If true, Eddie Jones's reputation for straight dealing, not to say "honesty" will be badly damaged!
I can't imagine, that Mr. Jones will be part of the Australian for much longer, whatever the case.
The observer of fools in military south and north...
After refusing to tell anyone what the bench split was going to be all week, Springboks go for a conventional 5-3 with Pollard and De Klerk amongst the replacements.
Some amusing banter going on between me and my French tutor Liz, down in the Dordogne, ref. Sunday's match. She has gone from being, not at the least bit interested in rugby, to an avid French fan. As you English types might have said, she's a good egg!
@ Woody PS - These Saffer scants are bloody uncomfortable...
The observer of fools in military south and north...
The game becomes more frenetic.. From a good Afrikaans friend.
Ouens en Dames
Net so bietjie raad voor julle lekker gaan slaap.
Bly kalm, hoor !
Op die oomblik lees ek Rassie se insiggewende boekie-Rassie.
Hy het die wenresep. Die Paddas sal nooit die bal kry nie-simpel.
Muisvoel Eben en die manne sal dit nooit toelaat nie.
Julle sal dit self sien as jy teen daai tyd Sondag aand wakker is.
So, I will herhaal myself .
Julle moet net kalm bly asseblief tog! Alles sal voor die eindfluitjie regkom.
Moet nie huil voor daai fluitjie blaas nie. Moet nooit die trane laat stort nie.
Dis nie die moeite werd nie. Rassie weet mos.
Dankie
Daarsy
Groete tot volgende keer .
I was apt to to translate, but I am sure that those who care will.
The observer of fools in military south and north...
Oo! I've found a Sky live-stream on Stuff, rather choppy because it must be hi-def (which I can't alter) and keeps buffering quite a bit, nevertheless I have moving pictures, + the Forever Sports commentary to listen to.
Around the world thoughts shall fly In the twinkling of an eye
