Eddie Jones dodges questions about Japan reports after Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup humiliation

Eddie Jones threatened to walk out of the media conference as he dodged questions about reports linking him to a bombshell move following the Wallabies’ record defeat to Wales.

Eddie Jones has apologised to Wallabies supporters following their Rugby World Cup defeat to Wales. Picture: AFP

A defiant Eddie Jones refused to answer questions about whether he had been interviewed for the job of coaching Japan at the same time he was preparing the Wallabies for the World Cup.

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh had already told reporters Jones assured him the reports were not true but when Jones was asked himself, he replied: “I don’t know what you are talking about, mate. I am committed to coaching Australia.

When another reporter asked Wallabies Dave Porecki about how the reports might have affected the Australian players before their humiliating 40-6 loss to Wales, Jones interjected and threatened to walk out of the media conference.

“I really take umbrage that people are questioning my commitment to coaching Australia,” he said.

“I’ve been working non-stop since I come here and I apologise for the results.

“I keep saying that but to question my commitment to the job is a bit red hot.”

Eddie Jones has apologised to Wallabies supporters following their Rugby World Cup defeat to Wales. Picture: AFP

Asked whether he wanted to remain as head coach after overseeing Australia’s worst-ever World Cup campaign, Jones was more forthcoming.

“One hundred per cent. I came back to Australia trying to help. At the moment I am not giving much help, am I? But that doesn’t mean my commitment to helping has changed,” he said.

“”I am a proud Australian, I hate to see Australian rugby do as poorly as we have been doing, particularly under my reign.

“It’s not only the Wallabies we have got to improve, we’ve got to treat the whole system of Australian rugby. It’s not an excuse but we’ve got to have a really good look at ourselves and see what we’ve got to do to improve.”

Jones only returned to the head coaching job in January, replacing Dave Rennie who was sacked in 2022 after three years of poor results.

After initially telling everyone the Wallabies could win the 2023 World Cup under his guidance, Jones has since changed his tune and pleaded for patience, saying he was now building a young squad for 2027.

“I was put in this job to turn Australia around. I don’t think I could have done it with the players that had been playing. I think we needed a fresh change,” he said.

Pone Fa’amausili reacts after Australia’s defeat to Wales at the Rugby World Cup. Picture: Getty Images

“Sure, young guys struggled in the environment today but unless they get that experience they are not going to mature into the players they can be.

“This is the most painful time, don’t get me wrong, but it’s also the best learning time for young players. This is where they really learn about the game and learn what you need for test level.

“There is not a team I have coached that hasn’t been through this at the start of their tenure.

“A process unfortunately takes time, takes some pain. Sometimes it takes more pain than it does pleasure, I have no doubt what I set out to do. While it looks at the moment like it’s a shambles, I can guarantee it’s not.”

Apologising for the team’s back to back losses to Fiji and Wales at the World Cup, Jones said he also accepted full responsibility for the carnage in France, but again asked for everyone to keep faith in the young players he’s identified as future stars.

“Our performance was not up to the standard that was required. I apologise for that. I take full responsibility for it. We are disappointed, we have a young team in there that’s very disappointed,” he said.

“They tried their hearts out but unfortunately at the moment we don’t have consistency in our play to put pressure on teams like Wales. We do some good things and then fall away. It’s very disappointing.

“I am not sure you can use experience as an excuse but it’s definitely part of our issue.

“I think I have got the ability to turn things around. I was hoping we would be able to do it by now but we haven’t been able to.

“I take full responsibility, I haven’t done a good enough job and I am bloody disappointed about that.”

Originally published as Eddie Jones dodges questions about Japan reports after Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup humiliation