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PARIS – Rugby Australia bosses remain under the assumption Wallabies coach Eddie Jones is committed and faithful to leading the nation forward despite the veteran rugby figure being linked to taking over from outgoing Brave Blossoms coach, Jamie Joseph.
More reports emerged in Japan over the past 48 hours that Jones, 63, is the top candidate to take over from Joseph and return to the post he last held in 2015.
It comes after The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Jones had interviewed with the Japan Rugby Football Union on the eve of the World Cup getting underway.
Jones has categorically denied the report, which surfaced less than 24 hours out from the Wallabies’ heavy 40-6 loss to Wales.
“I am 100 per cent committed to the job and I’ve said that previously,” Jones told reporters in France.
He later added: “I haven’t applied for a job for a long time. Someone has a story and they are running with it.
“The only thing I can say is I’m committed to coach Australia. And there’s the other side of the coin that Australian Rugby who make the decision after this World Cup, whether they want to keep me or not, and that’s up to them.
“Whatever goes on, I’ve come back to help Australian rugby. So if I become an issue, then I’ll have to go. I’m pretty even-tempered about it.
Eddie Jones continues to be linked to taking over Jamie Joseph at Japan. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Rugby Australia chief-executive Phil Waugh has routinely said he has taken Jones’ word that he has not spoken to the JRFU about replacing Joseph.
“I’ve taken Eddie for what he said and the fact that he’s denied it,” Waugh told reporters in Lyon ahead of the loss to Wales.
“I take people for their word and that’s what I’ve been told, and so we move forward.
“I’m certainly not going to get into the game of speculating who’s having conversations with who.”
As recently as Tuesday, RA officials were in contact with Jones’ agent, Craig Livingstone, to address the recent reports surfacing out of Japan.
Once again, Jones’ camp has denied any link to the role and say he is committed to coaching the Wallabies through until the 2027 home World Cup.
Even before signing a five-year deal with RA in January, Jones was understood to have had a long-standing offer with the JFRU to return whenever he wants.
The former Brave Blossoms coach, who oversaw their upset win over the Springboks in 2015 before leaving his post following the World Cup in the United Kingdom, has a close relationship with new president Masato Tsuchida.
Their relationship dates back years from their time spent together with Suntory, the Japanese powerhouse club Jones still acts as an advisor for.
It’s understood Jones will return to Australia on Wednesday, with RA to commence their review next month.
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan and chief executive Phil Waugh continue to act under the belief Eddie Jones will coach the Wallabies in 2024. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)
Waugh told reporters last week RA was “committed” to Jones coaching the Wallabies going forward despite the veteran coach overseeing their worst result at the World Cup. Their World Cup pool exit was confirmed on Monday AEDT.
Last week, Jones once again said their World Cup flop left him “vulnerable” if the governing body wanted to move in a different direction.
“I have signed a five-year contract,” Jones told the Daily Mail.
“Like any job, coaches are in an employer-employee relationship, and we are in a game of winning. Whenever you’re not winning, the coach is vulnerable, so I am vulnerable. Does that cause extra noise? It probably does. There’s been this noise about Japan, but nothing has happened. So that’s just added a bit more noise to it.
“I came into this job with the approach that it was going to be a long-term job, but Rugby Australia could change. If there’s a change in the wind then things can happen, but my commitment was always long-term and there’s no reason why that won’t happen.”
Jones will return to the northern hemisphere later this month, with the Wallabies coach to oversee the Barbarians’ match against Wales on November 4.
He will link up with All Blacks coach-in-waiting Scott Robertson for the exhibition match, which will act as Alun Wyn Jones’ swan-song for Wales after retiring from international rugby ahead of the World Cup.
Joseph wouldn’t be bought on Jones’ mooted return on Sunday, but said his successor needed to be able to bring together the team and be a “good guitar player” – a reference some have thought is a subtle message of support behind new Kobe director of rugby Dave Rennie, who was axed in January to allow for Jones’ return.
“What I will say is that my coaching team are highly experienced and very capable, and the one thing I’ll say is coaching in Japan isn’t the same as coaching in New Zealand or Australia or England, there’s a cultural aspect that you need to be aware of,” Joseph said following Japan’s 39-27 loss to Argentina, which meant they missed the knockout stages.
“Players think differently, and the game of rugby is consistent but the players coming in, particularly from our team, I think there’s about eight or nine different cultures in terms of where they’re coming from, so the coach has got to be a good guitar player.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.