Eddie Jones again denies links to Japan coaching job

There was no return home press conference for Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, but the cameras were waiting to ask him about his Japanese plans.

Eddie Jones says he isn’t going anywhere. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Embattled Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has declared he is “committed to Australia” after arriving home from the World Cup amid a flurry of reports he’s set to take a job offer from Japan.

Arriving in Sydney on Friday morning, Jones, who signed a five-year deal with the Wallabies but has reportedly been talking with Japanese officials, declared he would meet with Rugby Australia and reveal his future at a press conference on Monday.

“Meeting with Rugby (Australia). I will speak to the media on Monday but I am committed to Australia,” he said when doorstopped by TV cameras at the airport.

Jones reiterated that he’d had “no discussions” with Japanese officials despite reports he conducted an interview via Zoom and that the job was his for the taking.

Eddie Jones says he committed to coaching Australia. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

He has repeatedly denied those reports and said he “can’t control” reports coming out of Japan that he was going to accept the coaching role.

“Ah well, as I said mate, I’m committed to Australia,” he said.

Multiple Japanese news outlets, and the London Telegraph, have reported that Jones is set to take over from Jamie Joseph as Japan head coach on a long-term deal.

Rugby Australia did not organise a press conference for Jones at Sydney airport upon arrival from France and the 63-year-old was reluctant to talk.

Jones remains under pressure after the Wallabies’ earliest ever World Cup exit that came on the back of losses to Fiji and Wales.

Originally published as Eddie Jones again denies links to Japan coaching job