Eddie Jones’ defection from Wallabies complete as Japan move confirmed

Just five weeks after resigning as coach of the Wallabies, Eddie Jones has been officially unveiled as coach of the Japanese national side.

Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones is set to be appointed by Japan. Picture: SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP

Eddie Jones was approved as Japan’s new head coach on a four-year deal on Wednesday night at a board meeting in Tokyo.

Jones will take over as Japan’s head coach in 2024, aided by his close friend and Japan Rugby Football Union president Masato Tsuchida, who had put the plans in place for Jones to take over several weeks ago.

The JRFU said in a statement late Wednesday night: “The Japan Rugby Football Union is delighted to announce the appointment of Eddie Jones as the new Head Coach of the Japan National Team, the Brave Blossoms. Eddie Jones will officially commence his duties from 1 January 2024.”

The announcement comes just 45 days after Jones resigned as Wallabies coach.

He had consistently denied holding interviews with Japan during the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign.

Jones blitzed his second job interview to win the Japan head coaching role from rival Frans Ludeke, and is taking former Wallabies general manager Chris Webb with him.

Sources told News Corp Australia that some Japan board members were wavering on Jones last week, but after he gave a more impressive second interview than Ludeke last Friday, the selection panel unanimously decided to appoint Jones to the job just five weeks after he resigned as Wallabies coach.

Kiwi Tabai Matson, the third contender for the job, had dropped out before last week’s second round of interviews.

Eddie Jones has taken the Japan coaching role. Picture: Toru Hanai/Getty Images

Jones, who denied during the Wallabies’ failed World Cup campaign that he was eyeing the Japan job despite being contracted to Rugby Australia for five years, had indeed been in with talks about the role in September.

Webb resigned days before Jones in late October.

The 63-year-old Jones held initial talks with Japan the week before the Wallabies began their World Cup in France, and while he continued to deny the reports, sources in Australia and overseas have confirmed he had a meeting about the role while still in charge of the Wallabies.

Jones cited a lack of centralisation within RA, and their inability to gain private equity funding, as the reasons he chose to resign from his multimillion-dollar contract, but at the time continued to reject links to Japan.

On Sunday, Japanese media outlet Sponichi reported a timeline of how events unfolded.

“It was revealed on the 8th (of December) that Eddie Jones (63), who served in the same position from 2012 to 2015, has been confirmed to return as the next head coach (HC) of the Japan national rugby team,” the report said.

Fraser McReight scores for the Wallabies during the team’s poor Rugby World Cup campaign. Picture: AFP

“The Japan Association’s selection committee was unified by the same day. If approved by the Board of Directors on the 13th, he will be officially appointed for the first time in eight years.

“Regarding the selection of the next head coach, Japan Association President Masato Tsuchida, who has a close relationship with Jones, led the return and made a secret offer to Jones, who had been the Australia coach this spring.

“An open call was held in July, with Ligue 1 Division 1 Tokyo Bay head coach [Frans Ludeke] and others nominating. Final interviews were held with the two finalists in Tokyo on the 7th. As originally planned, Mr. Jones was selected.

“On the night of the 8th, Mr. Jones’ confidant and former Australian national team GM Chris Webb visited Japan. This was held in conjunction with the inauguration press conference to be held on the 14th, the day after the Board of Directors’ meeting, and it is expected that he will be appointed to the position in charge of strengthening the company.

“Immediately after arriving at Haneda Airport, Mr. Webb responded to an interview with Sponichi, adding, ‘Nothing has been decided yet’.”

“Mr. Jones, who is known as a world-famous general, has experience in four World Cups as the national team head coach. He led his home country Australia in 2003, led England to runners-up in the 2019 tournament, and led Japan to a historic three wins in the 2015 tournament.

“He led his country again in this fall’s World Cup, but he was eliminated from the first round of the league for the first time in history, and resigned on [October 31].”

Originally published as Eddie Jones’ defection from Wallabies complete as Japan move confirmed