The long running speculation over the future of Eddie Jones came to an end yesterday, with the announcement that he will indeed be taking over as the head coach of the Japan rugby team.
Jones came in for huge criticism during the World Cup, after the leading Australia on an abysmal campaign, littered with disastrous management calls.
Eddie Jones Addresses World Cup Rumours
During the tournament he was linked to the Japan job, with rumours that he had spoken with the JRFU, despite the fact that he had only been in charge of the Wallabies for mere months.
Jones has since responded to these claims, saying that "I didn't do an interview before the World Cup. I was asked by the recruitment agency to share my experiences. The first interview I had with Japan was in Japan, and that was the only one I had.
"I apologise to Australian fans," Jones added.
I gave everything I could for that short period of time and it wasn't good enough. I had a plan of what we needed to do to change Oz rugby and RA weren't able to support that so I decided to move on.
I wish Australia all the best. I feel terrible about the results because I wanted to go back and change Australia. But I don't feel any guilt at all with this process, but I hadn't had an interview until December.
READ HERE: Bernard Jackman Roasts Irish Provinces Over Key Issue
READ HERE: Eddie Jones Was Furious With Questions About Secret Job Interview Before World Cup
Eddie Jones on THAT interview.
"I didn't do an interview before the World Cup. I was asked by the recruitment agency to share my experiences. The first interview I had with Japan was in Japan, and that was the only one I had."
JFRU chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi backs up Jones'…
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) December 14, 2023
12 March 2022; England head coach Eddie Jones before the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium in London, England. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Following the confirmation of his new role with Japan, he has been put on blast by All Blacks legend Sonny Bill Williams:
My thoughts on this whole saga is that he lied. Obviously he lied to the players, he lied to the public, he lied to the Australian rugby union.
What a disgrace. I guess that’s my first point.
"Second point would be, I feel sorry for Japan. His track record speaks for itself," Williams continued.
“I’m a big believer in the proof is in the pudding and what is his proof? His proof is he’s been fired, sacked from England in the last few years. He’s burned a lot of bridges.
“I actually feel sorry for Japan that they believe this guy is gonna take them somewhere where his track record shows that he hasn’t been able to do. It seems like he’s a little bit out of touch with what’s going on.
“I guess I’m just speaking from an ex-player’s point of view. I could never believe in someone that I knew was pretty much full of crap.
“Japanese culture is all built on respect, loyalty, things that he’s shown that he’s not about.”
Another to throw shade at Jones was the current head coach of the England women's team, John Mitchell.
“I’m not an Eddie Jones. That’s just not going to happen," Mitchell responded when asked whether he would be staying with the Red Roses.
Mitchell served as England men's defence coach under Jones, before becoming one of his many assistants to leave under acrimonious circumstances.
SEE ALSO: Joe Schmidt Being Linked To One Of Most High-Profile Vacancies In World Rugby
