Eddie Jones hasn’t wasted any time settling back in Japan, with the former Wallabies coach interviewing for the vacant Brave Blossoms role on Thursday.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Jones was one of two coaches to interview with the Japan Rugby Football Union.
The 63-year-old, who officially finished up with Rugby Australia late last month after quitting as Wallabies coach one season into a five-year deal and promptly moved to Japan, arrived at the Royal Park Hotel in Tokyo for the interview on Thursday morning, according to the report.
Jones was one of two coaches to interview for the role, with Frans Ludeke, who led Kubota Spears to a maiden League One title earlier this year, also interviewing.
JFRU president Matsato Tsuchida, who has had a relationship with Jones for decades dating back to the 1990s when Jones was a coach at Suntory, was reportedly present for the interview.
He was joined in the room by chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi.
The JFRU will likely name Jamie Joseph’s successor before the new year.
Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has had an official interview with the JFRU about the vacant Brave Blossoms head coaching role. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Jones, who presided over Japan’s most famous win – a boilover 34-32 win over the Springboks at the 2015 World Cup – is the strong favourite.
Last month, Jones said he was interested in the role after resigning as Wallabies coach following the World Cup.
“I’ve had no offer, let’s be clear,” Jones told the Kyodo News. “If they (Japan) came to me and said, are you interested in coaching them, I’d definitely be interested.”
He later said he had come out of the difficult 2023 season as a better coach and would be back out on a field with a whistle in his mouth by the new year.
“As long as I’ve got the energy to do it, I’ll keep doing it (coaching),” he said.
“But as you know, in terms of experience and learning, the older you get, the better the coach you are. I am a much better coach than I was this time last year.
“I’ve learned a lot from Australia. I’ve learned some things I shouldn’t have done, some things I didn’t do well and I’ll be a better coach in the next job that I do.”
The interview comes months after the Herald reported that Jones had spoken to the JFRU a fortnight out from the World Cup starting in France.
Jones, who had an exit clause in his contract that allowed him to leave the Wallabies at the end of 2023 if he wanted, stringently denied the report and any link to the role and said he was committed to the Wallabies.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about mate,” Jones said following the Wallabies’ embarrassing 40-6 loss to Wales in Lyon, which came on the same day the story surfaced.
Even after returning to Australia, Jones continued to deny any link to Japan and maintained he was focussed on leading the Wallabies into the future.
Yet, less than 24 hours after the World Cup final, Jones told RA of his intention to resign. Days later, it was official.
Right throughout the fiasco, Jones told RA chief executive Phil Waugh and then-chairman Hamish McLennan that there was “nothing to the story”.
Waugh said he took Jones at his word.
Eddie Jones was one of two coaches interviewed by the JFRU to take over from Jamie Joseph. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
On Wednesday, Wallabies centre Lalakai Foketi said he would be “hurt” if Jones took over as Japan coach.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen. If it does, it does. I think it would hurt a little bit just because of all the chat around [it] before [the Wales game],” Foketi said.
Foketi, however, said you couldn’t question Jones’ work-ethic.
“What he did for us at the World Cup and leading up to that, you can’t fault his effort and his drive and to want to make Australian rugby better,” he said.
“We really respected him and respect him. If that happens, good on him.”
Wallabies teammate Angus Bell joined Carter Gordon in recent weeks by saying he was sad to see Jones depart from Australian rugby.
“I was personally disappointed, I really liked Eddie,” Bell said.
“He got the best out of me as an individual and a player and I really enjoyed being under him and coached by him and the rest of the stuff with ‘Hats’ (Neal Hatley) as the scrum and forwards coach.
“It is disappointing seeing them go because they are quality coaches and we can see in parts there we are a great team but we weren’t able to put it together for 80 minutes at all.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
If indeed you were ever in a position of authority sunshine, then my genuine commiserations to your underlings.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
The policy of going for youth is fine Whisteblower ....But ...For sure the sentiment just amongst what I believe to be the most knowledgable fans in the world here in the Roar , was that he went for youth because he did not countenance dissent which more experienced older players may bring ..It was imo Eddies failure ..Not one of coaching ..There we agree but of personality ...Everything that transpired as the pressure mounted manifesting itself in press conferences , crazy statements etc, supports my theory ...Maybe in Japan more societal demands of humility and less pressure he can do well. World Rugby can only benefit from a strong Japan ......So I wish him well . But again no other way you look at it ..He totally screwed up and stuffed the Wallabies ..Lets not apologize for him for that ..He got very well paid ..No need for sentiment.
James584
Roar Rookie
I’m taking up space in your head :laughing: . Commiserations on the final mate. :laughing:
Peta Smith
Roar Rookie
@James584, says the person with a continued grudge against all things New Zealand… :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
cs
Roar Guru
How do you know they weren't lying?
whistleblower (retired)
Roar Rookie
Reductionism? - maybe not. Many who reported to me knew I was not a fan of facile analysis.
Sage
Roar Rookie
And he's short-listed for the Georgian coaching role too, along with Schmidt. More news development
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
Ok I hope Eddie gets the Japan job :thumbup: No doubt that's a much better gig than the poisoned chalice he had here. If he does get it I'd expect Japan to be regularly beating the WBs by 2026. Would be a amusing irony if an Eddie coached Japan knocked Aust out of the pool stage of the 2027 RWC :laughing:
Bobby
Roar Rookie
One word description of the EJ tenure and since - Grubby !
cs
Roar Guru
More accurately, it is something that Hamish could have done unless enough other board members objected, with wider consequences for which they would be responsible, some with grave risks.
cs
Roar Guru
Rudy G is an inspired comparison. Thankfully, they both make me laugh these days.
cs
Roar Guru
Not this apologia yet again. Ressentiment isn't a good look whistler.
cs
Roar Guru
Like all the times you told the crowd to calm down cos Eddie and Hamish weren't going anywhere soon and everyone should get used to it?
cs
Roar Guru
Silly reductionism. Even if you had been party to the call, could I not question how you saw into his head to know what he was really thinking? The call has been confirmed by several reputable independent sources, all with more credibility than Jones. The latest news has sealed things. Time to get a grip whistle, ol’ chap.
cs
Roar Guru
And placed in stocks in Martin Place.
whistleblower (retired)
Roar Rookie
I am certainly no apologist for Eddie; but I do believe in a fair go. I have difficulty in rationalising comments that say he is a bad coach when his record clearly shows the opposite. Why would SA offer someone, purportedly so incompetent, an advisory role, why would the RFU appoint him as coach of England and numerous other successful appointments, notably Japan. Why do so many players in all those constituencies speak in glowing terms about him? Are all the people responsible for his appointments in many different countries morons? I did not realise until a friend told me today that it was possible to go back to old comments. In italics below is a comment I made about his appointment in January - prophetic? but given the players respect for him, wrong. I was not a fan but I am a fan of youth; the French team has illustrated what is possible. However, once appointed by those with much more Rugby IQ than me, I decided that I should get behind him - I am not a fair weather supporter; you cannot be weak kneed like that if you truly love the Wallabies, but it seems many are!! It didn't work out - excreta happens. I was a fan however of his selection of a very youthful squad! My rational for that was the huge success France (my second favourite team) has had over the last 3-4 years with a squad that initially (3 years ago) was significantly younger than the squad Jones took to France. I think Jones' selections for the RWC will ultimately prove to be correct. So the man cannot be as bad as he is being portrayed. Frankly, I find the appalling vilification of him distasteful and not worthy of true Rugby fans. My comment from January Madness, utter madness. I have always held the idea that coaches should be older, but not that much older than the players and to have the ability to communicate and understand the players. The coaches of the current two best teams in the world; Galthie (France) 53 years old, Farrell (Ireland) 47. Jones is already too old and, should he last until 2025 will be pushing 70. His ‘headmaster’ style is not what is needed by players mostly <30. This is a mistake
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
" Jaques Nienaber is the hardest working coach I have ever seen " Felix Jones , Now attack coach for England .. Point is being hard working on the salaries these guys get is not a unique achievement .. They are expected to work hard ..No reason to have a fireworks display for them if they do..All top coaches are hard working ..No big deal .
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Look I dont have any truck with you batting for Eddie....In the cold light of day here in South Africa he has big time credibility . But if emotion plays no role why support him in what was clearly a failed campaign ...Not just failure but one of unprecedented proportions ..That he put the family jewels on the table hoping the cards would fall was really not acceptable ..We now know what it takes from coaches to be succesful at the highest level..Nothing and I mean nothing is left to chance ..So by any standard of measurement that is going to subject him quite rightly so to the harshest of criticism as it should . I personally have no issue with him as a human being .Never met him ..Why should I ..I do have issues around his conduct as a rugby coach ..Not of a High School but a proud tier one rugby Nation .. and yes no matter how you spin it did not measure up ..The results are on the scoreboard ..
whistleblower (retired)
Roar Rookie
There is an emotional element and I as much as anyone shout at screen or at the game. But emotion has no place in board rooms. Many choose to ignore that, like it or not, it is a business and has virtually the same legal and governance requirements as, for example, BHP.
woodart
Roar Rookie
thats cool, but rugby p-arse have form for speculation. or interveiwing their keyboard, as its known.