Eddie Jones resigns as Australia boss after disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign

Eddie Jones has resigned as coach of the Australian rugby team.

The Wallabies coach oversaw a disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign that saw the Wallabies dumped in the pool stages, while Wales and Fiji progressed to the knockout rounds.

Jones returned to Australia earlier this year, taking over from Dave Rennie on a $4.5 million contract until 2027, with rugby bosses planning for the 63-year-old to develop the team at the next World Cup, which Down Under is organized. in mind.

Yet Jones’ long-term vision is being questioned with the former England boss reportedly in talks with the Japanese federation over their role as head coach.

Jones denied speculation that he had met with Japanese bosses in France ahead of the tournament, although reports in Asia suggest he is close to taking the Brave Blossoms job.

“The only thing I’m disappointed about is that the media tried to portray me as someone who is not involved in Australian rugby,” he said. The Australian after confirming his departure.

‘The last thing anyone could criticize me for is commitment. Anyone who really knows me knows that I have committed myself to it. I’ve tried it.’

Previous reports claimed Jones had exit clauses in his contract that allowed him to break his deal if Rugby Australia failed to secure private investment funding or provide a centralized model. Both objectives have not yet been achieved.

“It’s the old equation that if you want success, you have to get the timing right and you have to have the opportunity to do it,” he said.

‘Now I’ve got the timing wrong because we’re not ready for the change yet.

“But hopefully what I can be can be a catalyst for change and people will start to realize that we really need to get started on this (changing Australian rugby’s high performance system) now.”

More to follow.