Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has again denied any contact with Japan and committed to staying in the job through to the next World Cup.
“That’s the intention, mate, but as you know, we play in a game where the coach doesn’t decide how long they stay,” he said at a media conference on Tuesday, adding he had a “100 percent” passion to continue coaching the Wallabies.
“I’m staying. I’ve always been committed to Australian rugby, want to leave it in a better place and that’s still the job. “
He was asked about his pre-tournament press conference where he attacked reporters’ negativity – “I probably need to give myself an uppercut, don’t I?” he joked.
Jones said he accepted that a review would be required into the World Cup flop, but his statement puts the ball firmly in Rugby Australia’s court as far as his future goes.
So far RA have said they intend backing Jones and he said he believed he had official support. He refused to answer a question on potential break clauses in his contract with RA.
On whether he will see out his contract through the end of 2027, Jones said: “It’s not absolutely my decision. “We’ve got a review going forward and let’s see what happens at the end of the review.
He said he was not worried about being sacked but accepted it was possible.
“I don’t control those sort of things. All I can do is coach. I went to the World Cup, came in for a short period of time and had to make a decision on the team, made the decision we needed to go with youth, and whilst the results in the World Cup weren’t the results we wanted, I think I’ve left the Australian team in a great position to go on to 2027.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
“That judgment will be decided by the 2027 World Cup.”
He said the team – including coaches and players – have already completed their own review of the World Cup disaster. The next one would be “a formal review to be done by independent consultants” and he was ready to participate.
“I didn’t come back to Australia to have a holiday – sit down at Coogee Beach, eat fish and chips, have a nice flat white. It was always going to be a battle. When you’ve got a team that hasn’t done well for a long period of time, it’s always a battle.”
Jones said it was crucial that Rugby Australia got alignment in the code from grassroots through to the top team as it looks to rebuild it’s international standing. Australia, a two-time world champion, is currently ranked 10th in the world.
“You just got to watch the quarterfinals at the weekend. We’re not at that level. And we can’t pretend to be at that level. But can we be at that level by 2027? Yes, we can,” said Jones.
“We’re definitely off the pace but the opportunity to get better is there. I love the game. I love working with young players. I loved seeing some of the young players maturing during the World Cup and some of them struggle. And that’s all part of it. But I love the game and I love coaching the Wallabies.”
Jones was named Wallabies coach at the start of the year as replacement for Dave Rennie. He came in with grand statements that his team could win the Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup and make a smash and grab on the World Cup.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
None of those targets were achieved and Jones changed his tune about building for the future when he named a young team for the doomed Cup campaign – where his team became the first Australians to bow out of a RWC in the pool stages.
He finished the year with a 2-7 win loss record – the only two victories coming against lowly Georgia and Portugal.
On Tuesday he said he no regrets with leaving experienced players such as Quade Cooper and Michael Hooper out of the side for the tournament.
“Everyone’s got their own judgment and they’re allowed to have that judgment,” he said. “My choice was that I decided to go with youth. And I stand by that because I think we’ve got a a lot of good young players who are really going to benefit from that experience at the World Cup, and going forward to the 2027 World Cup.”
It was reported during the campaign that Jones had an interview for the Japan head coach role but he denied that again on Tuesday, having previously also denied the story.
“I haven’t been speaking to anyone, mate,” was all Jones would say on multiple reports of conversations with sources in Japanese rugby.
He said he understood why Australian fans were hurting.
“We feel all the supporters hurt and really appreciate the great support we had in France and back in Australia for the team,” said Jones.
“Sometimes the change you have to have is uncomfortable. It is quite difficult. And sometimes you have to go through this to get into a better state and I believe that the problems we’ve had particularly at the national team will put us in a better state going forward.”
Jones clearly believes he is the right man to carry Australia on.
“I think I’ve got the foresight to see where we need to go. I’ve got the experience of being in difficult situations before,” Jones said.
“This is not an unusual situation. You’ve got a team that was struggling for a period of time, you’ve got underneath it a system that’s not supporting it and at some stage you bottom out.
“This is the opportunity now to change the team- as we’ve started with picking younger players with bright futures – and then we’ve got to look at the development system underneath as well.
“It’s not a simple equation that the Wallabies are bad. Let’s be serious about this. The Wallabies are not where they need to be but underneath that we need to fix the system to go forward. And if we can do that now we’ve got a rosy future.”
Flickpass
Roar Rookie
Does anyone know why this press conference was held? Eddie announced on arrival in Sydney last Thursday that he was talking the press this week but was it arranged by RA or Eddie? Seems like has just arranged it to hit the ball back over the net to RA. He clearly has no performance clauses. Would’ve thought “At least QF of RWC » would’ve been in there, and given why they sacked Rennie and hired Eddie, at least SF wouldn’t have been unreasonable.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Rusty, As if Eddy would listen to an assistant coach!!!
OwenL
Roar Rookie
oh ye my bad i meant vunivalu
Cec
Roar Rookie
If you hold your breath for “one day” you might pass out…just saying
avonjeff
Roar Rookie
Not sure I trust Eddie's judgement. Several bad calls that will haunt RA for sometime. He has also become a media tart freely throwing his opinions around which have become rather tiresome.
Hughi
Roar Rookie
Do players get a bonus for taking knives in the back?
Hughi
Roar Rookie
'The embattled coach is not abandoning a sinking ship but after the World Cup debacle dark and uncharted waters lie ahead.' Thanks for the link. Could we ask Eddie, if you're not abandoning the ship, could you please stop drilling holes in it? The situation I believe will clear up over the next 6 to 12 months. The Wallaroos as mentioned in the article are not a priority at the moment. Great, you have on the back of the Women's soccer an ideal time to cultivate a little gold mine, nah to busy right now. The rugby lottery in Oz is a triumph of total stupidity. Hitting rock bottom would be great but we're not there yet. Before we arrive a review will be taken to put in a file and ignored. Until Japan appoints a new coach we will then be clear it's Eddie or he didn't get the job. This is a good time for a fresh start, a healthy reset, but as we saw yesterday more hot air. Read any forum like here or any rugby site and you will find a generally frustrated fan base, so the support is still there just our leaders have totally lost the plot.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Hurles I think RA are scared to lose the guys to league or to OS or something. Seems they are cuddled when they should be pushed harder and are wispered sweet nothings too when they should be told directly. I think QC was a bit of a difficult person in his younger years but Eddie has definately shot a lot of youngsters in the foot with his selections and game plans ( or lack of ) and I dont see the team to face the 2025 lions being much better as thats just 25 tests away. RA needs a massive reset but can rugby do that correctly and not implode?
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Olly every Aus SR side plays every NZ SR side at least once before the finals. Deans couldnt believe the entitlement in Aus players and I cannot think of a reason why they arnt as fit as every other nation apart from attitude. Nothing is new in any training methods and Aus has all these NRL teams to copy from if they feel the need to learn. So many players are treated like hero's because RA is scared to not keep them that they become entitled.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Agree with a lot of that BF. I think RA and the whole Aus rugby world needs some real change and if the failure of the WC triggers that then something may come from it. There is too many ego's in Aus rugby and way to many people have way too much to say or have influence. The Aus system currently creates divide and distrust rather than fostering a genuine connected desire to work at one aim. I think Hamish is untennable and Eddie is worse and until those massive ego's go its going to be difficult. So much so that I see NZR walking away unless Hamish resigns. Aus rugby needs some humility atm and Hamish and Eddie dont have that.
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
All mentioned players should have been there in some capacity. Eddie says he likes the Kiwi set up better than others then rolls out a squad at the other end of the spectrum. Come on Eddie work out what your objective is. This is delusional behaviour and not worthy of further discussion.
graymatter
Roar Rookie
OSR, I think you are very close to exposing the core problem. I also believe Eddie suffers from narcasistic personality disorder. You may be right about Carter Gordon, but I suspect he is just the latestest to suffer this fate. I highly suspect several of the assistant coaches that departed or were dismissed also fell foul of Eddie's unhealthy ego and innability to accept criticism. I simply cannot find any reason why else you would leave behind, Noah Lolesio, Quade Cooper, Pete Samu, Michael Hooper or Len Ikitau. Keep in mind that even if the players themselves didn't make remonstrations, perhaps assistants may have on their behalf. Having worked for several narcasists I can tell you thats how they operate. Paranioa rules and any suspicion of disloyalty, even by association is punished!
Joe King
Roar Rookie
I hate it as much as anyone, CB, but if laughingstock is the biggest worry, then I’m not too concerned. These sorts of things blow over. Look at SA now! EJ’s has only made himself a laughing stock, not Australian rugby. Eddie isn’t actually a bad coach. He made a strategic blunder, but if he sticks with his current team, his plan could still pay-off for the Lions and home WC.
graymatter
Roar Rookie
TWAS, Stop ruining Eddie's "good story" with the facts.
Cannonball
Roar Rookie
I think the “no press is bad press” addage has just been proved wrong. :laughing:
Cannonball
Roar Rookie
I’m done too.
Cannonball
Roar Rookie
I believed the same for Dave Rennie - there is ultimately only one KPI for the job. How many times did you win vs how many times you didn’t. EJ doesn’t get a pass by answering a different question.
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
Of the 30+ coaching and support staff, all but a couple personnel have been sacked. The players may not voice their honest review fearing for their spot in next year’s team regardless if it’s anonymous. If RA handle this process with integrity then the results may deliver what we can expect.
Richard Patterson
Roar Rookie
A wonderful summation of something that has gone wrong. Very wrong!!
Cannonball
Roar Rookie
This might be Albo’s opportunity to deflect from the referendum :thumbup: