- Eddie Jones is reportedly set to leave the Wallabies
- There is an exit clause in his $4.5 million contract
- A number of his trusted employees have been fired
Eddie Jones’ short-lived second spell in charge of the Wallabies is reportedly all but over after Rugby Australia suspended a handful of his trusted allies.
A number of Wallabies staff have been sacked by Rugby Australia following the team’s disastrous World Cup campaign, including highly respected team manager Chris Webb.
Most of the staff were only contracted until the end of the tournament, but News Corp reports that upon his arrival earlier this year, Jones brought in many, including team psychologists, indicating that the tide is turning against him.
The report also states that Jones has his own escape route through exit clauses in his $4.5 million contract, allowing him to break his deal if Rugby Australia fails to secure private investment funding or provide a centralized model . Both objectives have not yet been achieved.
The staff exodus was part of a Rugby Australia ‘clean-up’ but signals a lack of confidence in the esteemed coach, who reportedly interviewed for the Japan head coaching role before the tournament.
Eddie Jones is reportedly set to leave the Wallabies, a new report claims
A number of Jones’ close allies have been let go by Rugby Australia
Jones denies the rumors, but reports in Japan claim he is set to rejoin the Brave Blossoms after his successful stint in Asia in 2015.
News Corp adds that Webb’s departure has ‘disappointed’ Jones, while assistant coaches Jason Ryles, Brett Hodgson, Dan Palmer, Neil Hatley, Pierre-Henry Broncan and Berrick Barnes have also been shown the door.
Should Jones decide to trigger an exit clause, Rugby Australia would be spared from having to pay out in full on his contract, which runs until 2027.
He emphasized last week that he was fully committed to the Wallabies’ job.
“I loved seeing some of the young players mature during the World Cup, and some struggled, and that’s part of it,” Jones said.
“Most of them showed… that they have enough to really progress and become really good players for Australia.
“We throw in a few other players from around the place and we have a core of a really good team.”
After fiercely defending his youth policy despite the Wallabies recording only unconvincing wins over minnows Portugal and Georgia in nine tests this year, Jones admitted to one regret in 2023.
Australia has suffered a disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign in France this year
“Probably the only thing I regret is telling the press to give themselves an uppercut,” he said of his infamous pre-World Cup press conference at Sydney airport.
‘But sometimes in the heat of the moment you say things that you regret.
“I should probably give myself an uppercut, right?” I didn’t like the way that media conference was portrayed, but it probably wasn’t the wisest thing to do.’