24 September 2023 , 13:55
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Under-fire Australia coach Eddie Jones reportedly held talks with another international side on the eve of the Rugby World Cup.
Jones, 63, made a shock return to the Wallabies in January, after leaving his role as head coach of England. But his side are currently staring down the barrel of a humiliating World Cup exit following their shock defeat to Fiji last Sunday. Jones' side face Wales on Sunday night in Lyon, and a defeat will effectively end their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.
So the timing of the latest revelations are unlikely to impress Rugby Australia chiefs. A report in The Sydney Morning Herald has claimed that Jones took part in a Zoom interview with officials from Japan, with a view to rejoining the Cherry Blossoms after the tournament in France.
It's claimed that Jones was in Paris when the interview took place on August 25. That date is intriguing, just two days before they took on France in a pre-World Cup friendly, a game they comfortably lost 41-17.
It was considered a shock when Jones was appointed to lead the Aussies for the second time, having previously been in charge between 2001 and 2005. During that period the side reached the 2003 World Cup final on home soil, but were beaten by England.
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And his latest deal runs until the end of 2027, suggesting that his bosses did not envisage a short-term stint. Indeed, his contract covers the next World Cup, which will again take place down under.
Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh, who played under Jones, has dismissed the reports. But he will be well aware of the history between Jones and Japan, with the controversial coach revered for his previous work there.
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Jamie Joseph is set to leave his role as head coach after the World Cup, leaving a vacancy that Jones has seemingly been targeted to fill. He previously served as Japan's assistant coach in 1996, between working at Tokai University and the Suntory Sungoliath.
But in 2012, he took the role as the country's head coach, seeing them through to the 2015 World Cup before joining England. And it was in that tournament where he cemented himself as a cult hero amongst Japanese fans, overseeing their sensational win over South Africa in Brighton.
He also led them to four successive Asian Rugby Championship wins, and the Pacific Nations Cup in 2014. He's finished with 34 wins and a draw from his 48 Test matches in charge.