It has been revealed that under-fire Wallabies coach Eddie Jones was secretly interviewed by Japanese rugby officials just days before the start of Rugby. World Cup In France.
A report in The Sydney Morning Herald claimed on Sunday that the Wallabies coach took part in a Zoom interview with officials from Japan as the country looks to replace Jamie Joseph, who will step down as Japan coach after the tournament.
Jones is said to have dialed in from Paris for the interview on August 25, just two days before the Wallabies’ warm-up match against France, which they lost 41-17.
Jones has a contract with the Wallabies until 2027, and Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh told the Herald there is nothing to the reports.
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Eddie Jones reportedly did a secret Zoom interview with Japanese rugby officials
Jones is said to have called in from Paris for the job interview on August 25
“I take people at their word and Eddie has said there’s nothing in it,” Waugh said.
‘So as far as I’m concerned this is the end of the story and everyone’s focus is on this weekend’s crucial match against Wales.’
Jones has strong ties to Japan, having coached the nation from 2012 to 2015 and being married to a Japanese woman.
Reports earlier this month claimed Jones was negotiating with Japanese rugby officials, which Jones said was just ‘bulls**t and gossip’.
The Wallabies coach came out during a press conference ahead of the World Cup match against Wales that his team must win on Monday.
The man has never been afraid to confront the press. “You get more people when they smell blood,” he joked as he surveyed a crowded room on the first floor.
‘We have ten times more people here than normal at an Australian press conference because people smell blood. That makes it even more exciting.’
Jones then proceeded to fire a series of shots that would have made his cricketing idol Greg Chappell proud, insisting he was fully responsible for his team’s predicament.
The Wallabies have a World Cup match against Wales to win on Monday morning
Jones has come under heavy criticism since Australia’s 22-15 defeat to Fiji
‘I have let Australian rugby down. I didn’t do the job I was hired to do,” said Jones, whose team is on the brink of an early World Cup exit after just one win in seven games under his leadership.
‘I was called in to turn the tide. I feel that responsibility. My apologies for the results. I can get on my knees and do the Japanese thing (apologize by lowering yourself to the ground) if you want? I can’t apologize anymore, guys. I’m really sorry we didn’t get better results.”
Jones is used to criticism. But the vitriol he has taken in the past week has been especially strong in the aftermath of Australia’s 22-15 defeat to Fiji.
Wales and Warren Gatland want to inflict more pain.
“I don’t try to portray myself as a saint,” Jones continued. ‘I have been coaching for thirty years. I know what’s coming. When you coach, you make the choice to put yourself in these positions. I could teach.
‘I could have a nice life where the wife puts the packed lunch in the bag every morning, I put on a shirt and tie, know I’m going to teach six hours, come home, wash the dog, clean the car, watch Channel 7 or ABC news and then prepare the packed lunch for the next day.
‘I could have done that too. But I made the choice to coach. I like winning. I don’t know if it’s a medicine, but that’s the kick you get from coaching.’
The Wallabies will take on Wales in a must-win match on September 25 at 5am (AEST).