Wallabies coach Eddie Jones interviewed for the vacant job as head coach of Japan in the weeks before the World Cup began, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Jones was asked about the rumours last week and called them “bullshit and gossip” but refused to commit to Australia beyond the tournament when asked in the lead up to Monday’s (AEST) game against Wales in Lyon.
A loss will see Australia all but certainly eliminated from the pool stages for the first time in World Cup history.
The Herald reports that Jones interviewed for the Japan head coach role over Zoom on August 25.
That was two days ahead of their final World Cup warm-up and two weeks ahead of their first pool match against Georgia. It was eight days after his Sydney airport rant at reporters for their “negativity”.
When the interview took place, Jones as winless as Wallabies coach – having lost his first four games in charge. He now has a 1-6 record and they are on the verge of a World Cup exit.
“It is pretty poor form,” former Wallaby Mat Rogers, who played under Jones at the 2003 World Cup, told Wide World of Sports.
“Coaching is a cut throat world but I certainly don’t agree with him doing that before the World Cup. It’s not ideal news to break less than 24 hours out from probably the most important match in Australian Rugby World Cup history.”
Former Wallabies assistant Laurie Fisher summed up the feelings of many when he tweeted this:
Jones this week continued to defend his erratic and controversial selections as being crucial for the future health of the Wallabies.
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan told News Corp this week that RA was committed to Jones long term.
“I want him to be there for the full term. He has an incredible work ethic and a great rugby brain. You’ve got to back him and he knows Australia and where we need to change. He’s only been with us for nine months,” McLennan said.
“We absolutely do believe that and you have to afford Eddie the same liberties that we gave Dave [Rennie], who was there for three years. And whilst we’re disappointed in the result, I think we’ve been very clear that this is a young side that we need to build for the future. Steve Hansen said to me last week, some parts of the high performance program are 15 years behind the All Blacks.”
Eddie Jones. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
The Herald reported quoted RA CEO Phil Waugh as saying: “I take people at their word and Eddie’s said there’s nothing in it. So, as far as I’m concerned, that’s the end of the story and everyone’s focus is on this weekend’s crucial game against Wales.”
In June Jones made in a podcast suggesting he wouldn’t be staying for his full contract.
“I’m only coaching ’til this World Cup,” Jones told Lawrence Dallaglio’s podcast. “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.”
Australian rugby fans were in uproar over the Herald report.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Incorrect. The report was Sunday the 24th broke by the Sydney morning herald Tom Decent. You can still find it on the site and all the other news agencies referring to it in their own reports.
Jackass
Roar Rookie
Wrong. Eddie was asked about it day after Fiji game but of course deflected.
Olly
Roar Rookie
It only hit the day of the game. Poor work by the journalist.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The timing of the rants is following woeful results…
Phil Kearns Love Child
Roar Rookie
Eddie is that you?
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
My noise waned early and depressingly
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
Hoiles is wrong hes always wanted to shrink and cut teams to improve as his solution instead of looking at the diabolical sydney club rugby and self interested ARU admin situation which has constricted Australian rugby for decades
Chas
Roar Rookie
I thought his sacking and how McLennan and co went about it was disgraceful but as a fan of Dave I was pleased he was out of the toxic shambles that RA has become..
HenryHoneyBalls
Roar Rookie
Thought the whole point of sacking Rennie was to put in place Jones with a long term view on improving rugby from grassroots up. Jones is a total grifter, massive howler from the ARU to appoint him. He has barely won a match in three years.
Matt
Roar Rookie
How many times can a sport hit rock bottom jn one year before bottom is the norm.
Matt
Roar Rookie
Last few months Big Hamish and Eddie have been throwing barbs at the NRL . Id say the " horse guy" is having a chuckle. If RA want publicity, focus on winning footy games.
Matt
Roar Rookie
Dropping out at the pool stage will make any increase in local broadcast rights extremely difficult to achieve, particularly with funding for for grassroots required to enable RA to remain competitive with other codes.
Ed
Roar Rookie
Yup, that goes without saying. Everything about this is sh!te.
Steve 50
Roar Rookie
So why is Eddie saying it’s his fault but not saying why he stuffed up. And looking for other jobs pre World Cup shows he’s not actually that happy in wallaby job or doubts he’s good enough to coach of wallabies anymore . He’s basically according to you saying it was a mistake on wallaby role and no longer good enough to be wallaby head coach .
Naova Eke
Roar Rookie
"MARGA"- Love it! Make Aust Rugby Great Again. #bringbackRennie
Qualify
Roar Rookie
I'll spoil my day after the game! Go Wallabies!!!
Highlander
Roar Guru
It’s on nz stuff
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What did you want them to do? Run the proposed contract as the article? As for timing… almost any point in his tenure would be bad timing. You think they sat on the story on purpose knowing he’d be the first wallabies coach to lose to Fiji in 69 years?
Mike88
Roar Rookie
It's like when two people who break up get back together. It seems like a really good idea, and there's so much they have in common - sure things will be different this time. But they quickly realise why they broke up in the first place. Its not working and as a fan I'm happy to say to Eddie its not you, it's me. Eddie in Japan would be best for everyone. No shame in saying he tried but it wasn't meant to be. Eddie needs to be loved, and he won't be from the majority of Wallaby fans. The less uproar the better in my opinion. Let it play out and let everyone remove pride and emotion from the decision making process. Base it on facts. Everyone wins.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Look, these players are brave and talented to even be there. Then the Eddie craftiness kicks in, at least once per Cup. I believe that massive mistakes have been made this year, the first being by Hamish, the next half dozen by the Randwick hooker. But I have seen improvements by Eddie, along with the madness. If our tightheads stay healthy and Donnos radar works, we should prevail.