Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has reportedly given a second interview to Japan Rugby as the aftermath of their disastrous second match against Australia continues.
Jones repeatedly denied any link to a return to Japanese rugby after news broke of their first meeting during the World Cup.
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Despite Jones’ denial, Japanese media have long identified the 63-year-old as a strong candidate to replace former Japan coach Jamie Joseph.
In news that will surprise no one, the Sydney Morning Herald reports that Jones was interviewed in person for the role at Tokyo’s Royal Park Hotel on Thursday morning.
It is understood it will be up to Jones and South African coach Frans Ludeke, who coaches Japanese top league side Kubota Spears, who previously coached the Bulls Super Rugby franchise to two titles.
SMH reported in September that a second interview was organized when Jones was still coach of the Wallabies, but Jones denied this.
Surprisingly, even after resigning from his position, Jones continued to claim that the report was “false.”
Jones told SMH columnist Peter FitzSimons: “These stories do not have a source stated, so there is no credibility to the story to begin with.
“Secondly, the president of Japan Rugby is very close to me. Every time I go to Japan, I have coffee with that person. We talk about rugby.
“Have you met the Japanese representative? yes. But I’ve been doing it for 30 years.”
In fact, SMH’s Tom Decent, who first reported the news of Jones’ secret meeting with Japan, revealed that the coach denied the link 14 times.
However, despite this denial, Wallabies legend Tim Horan and others said, “I heard it separately from my source,” and Japanese media has been reporting the link for a long time.
And after leaving his Wallabies job, Jones admitted: “I have never received an offer. Let me make this clear. If they came to me and said they were interested in coaching them, I would definitely be interested.”
JRFU President Masato Tsuchida, a longtime friend of Jones, attended the interview along with the organization’s CEO Kensuke Iwabuchi.
Speaking on Channel 9 today On Friday, Wallabies great Morgan Turinui said the drama surrounding Jones could harm a potential appointment.
“It’s interesting to see a Japanese person who doesn’t like Eddie getting excited or scheming about anything to the detriment of his chances of leading Japan,” Turinui said.
“The Wallabies are very close neighbors so there will be a Test match against Japan in the next few years. Imagine the Wallabies playing Eddie Jones, the Japanese coach.”
When asked if there was any anger in Turinui about Jones, he responded: “I am completely disappointed right now. “Unfortunately, it was a disappointment for the man we thought would take us to the next level, but he didn’t do what we expected, especially those who were coached by him.”
It comes after Wallabies center Lalakai Foketi said earlier this week that it would “hurt” for Jones to take over as Japan manager.
“I don’t know what will happen. If (Jones moves to Japan), so be it,” Foketi said.
“I think I’m a little hurt because of all the noise before (about losing to Wales in the World Cup). But again, what he did for us in the World Cup, until that happens.” I don’t fault his effort and drive, he just wants to make Australian rugby better. So we really admired and admired him.
“So, if something like that happens (in Japan), I think it’s a good thing for that person.”
Former Rugby Australia president Hamish McLennan, who was sacked following Jones’ exit as Wallabies coach, told 2GB of the first interview: To participate in the World Cup you need to focus on your team.
“He denied it and his representative said that was absolutely not true. “If he did that, it was in terrible shape.”
If Jones can’t find a job in Japan, another role could soon become available if he wants it.
Georgia podcaster Abragan revealed that Georgia may target Jones after the departure of Levan Maisashvili following a World Cup in which the world’s 14th-ranked team recorded three losses and a draw.
