Rugby World Cup 2023: Eddie Jones urged to come clean on Wallabies disaster, Japan links

As embattled Wallabies coach Eddie Jones prepares to front the media following Australia’s disastrous World Cup campaign, he’s been urged by a Wallabies great to fess up on his future.

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones is under pressure to provide answers about his future. Picture: Getty

One of Eddie Jones’ closest friends, Wallabies legend Mark Ella, has urged the besieged Wallabies coach to “be honest” about his future, while tipping he’ll want to continue in Australia until 2027.

Jones will address media on Tuesday morning following several reports that he is in line for the Japan head coach role. Several media outlets, including this masthead, has been told by sources that Jones is in the running for the Japan job, despite his denials.

“I found that strange, you don’t come from England to Australia, and then within six months you’re looking at another job,” Ella said.

“I don’t know. We’ll all know soon. He’ll face the Australian media (on Tuesday). He’s got to be honest and tell the media and rugby supporters exactly what’s going on.”

Jones, then coach of England, talks to Wallabies great Glen Ella. Picture: Getty

Ella conceded the links to Japan are a bad look for Jones, who is signed to a $5 million deal with Rugby Australia until the end of 2027.

“It probably would be, but I can’t talk on Eddie’s behalf,” Ella said.

“I’m hoping he meets the press, tells them the truth, that he will be here another four or five years.”

Ella has known Jones since they were in kindergarten, but hasn’t called him to ask directly if he plans to abandon the Wallabies.

The former Australian captain, who was elevated to Legend status with the Sport Australia Hall of Fame on Monday, said there were few clear options to replace Jones if he departs, but did mention another familiar name.

“Eddie has a good reputation, he’s coached around the world. If Australian rugby think they can get someone better than Eddie, go right ahead. Who is that? Is it Michael Cheika?” Ella said.

Layne Beachley and Mark Ella have been elevated to Legend status in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Photo Jeremy Piper

“Cheik is another Randwick guy, and whether he’s the one we get I’m not too sure. It’s up to Eddie and Rugby Australia.

“I think he will stay. I don’t think he’s a guy who wants to give up so easily. He only had six months, he’s tried to change the team, and that’s all great, but he needs more time. It’s as simple as that.

“He’s always a grumpy little person. When he’s under pressure, you will be grumpy, because people want to know why straight away the team isn’t playing well. I’ll ask Eddie the same question and ask, ‘What the far out went wrong?’

“He has to come up with the right answer. If he doesn’t, he might as well look to Japan.”

Japan is on the lookout for a new coach with the departure of Jamie Joseph.

Jones, Joseph’s assistant Tony Brown and South African Frans Ludeke are understood to the candidates for the role, with Japanese Rugby president Masato Tsuchida believed to be pushing for Jones, a long-time friend.

Jones was installed as Wallabies coach at the start of the year, when RA sacked Dave Rennie and gave Jones the chance to coach the Wallabies at the 2023 and 2027 World Cups.

Eddie Jones looks on from the coaches box during the dismal Rugby World Cup campaign. Picture: Getty

However, the Wallabies campaign in France this year was an unmitigated disaster as they crashed out in the pool stages for the first time in history.

“They just have a lot of work to do, I’m hoping Eddie will stay and finish off the five-year [contract],” Ella said.

“He’s a pretty hard person to know. We went to kindergarten together, I’ve known him since he was three or four years old. He just needs a bit of a break and restructure the way forward.

“It’s been hard [to watch]. But he knew what was in front of him. It wasn’t like he didn’t know what was coming.

“If he’s around, he just has to work harder, and he’s the person to do it.”

But Ella believes in hindsight, Jones’ controversial calls to overlook experienced Test stars Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper for a young World Cup squad was his blunder.

“He probably did [get it wrong], but the players with the experience are probably at their end – it’s not like they’re halfway through [their careers] and have a lot to prove,” Ella said.

“Eddie was always talking about how he only had six months, how we’ll do our best but we need to look at the next World Cup.

“He’s got four years, and if he’s around, he better bloody pull his finger out.”

Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2023: Eddie Jones urged to come clean on Wallabies disaster, Japan links