‘Mutual end’: Eddie Jones’ Rugby Australia exit nears as letter revealed

The future of Wallabies coach Eddie Jones is now in Rugby Australia’s hands after another wild week in the tumultuous saga.

The end is nigh for Eddie Jones. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Eddie Jones and Rugby Australia are set to start the process of negotiating a separation after the under-fire coach reportedly told the governing body he’d be open to leaving.

Jones’ second stint as Wallabies coach has been tumultuous, featuring just two wins in nine matches as the Aussies missed the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time.

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While Jones, who in the first of a five-year deal, can’t take all the blame, the coach has found himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons throughout his tenure.

News erupted during the World Cup that Jones had met with Japanese rugby during the Wallabies’ preparations for the tournament and the rumours won’t go away.

Jones has denied the links to Japan, claiming he had hadn’t spoken to anyone and reconfirming his place as head coach of Australia.

But Japanese media have claimed Jones was the leading candidate to take over from ex-Japanese coach Jamie Joseph.

Aussie legend Tim Horan also told the Sydney Morning Herald’s Peter FitzSimons: “I know it’s true. I’ve heard it separately from my own sources. Maybe he thought if it goes pear-shaped, like it has, Japan is his back-up plan.”

Jones flew out to help coach the Barbarians against Wales in Cardiff on November 4.

However, the Sydney Morning Herald have reported that RA chairman Hamish McLennan and chief executive officer Phil Waugh had received a letter on Wednesday from Jones’ legal representatives “expressing a willingness to discuss a mutual end to his time as Wallabies coach”, according to “multiple sources”.

Eddie Jones speaks with David Porecki. Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP

Discussions on Jones’ future expected to start as early as next week.

While Jones reportedly refused to comment on the letter, he once again denied the links to Japan in an interview with the SMH’s Peter FitzSimons on Friday.

However, after reports from several outlets that Jones was going for a second interview with Japan next month, the coach told FitzSimons that his plan for after the Barbarians match is: “My wife and I go to Okinawa in Japan, for a holiday.”

Jones is married to Japanese woman named Hiroko.

It comes after another brutal week after it was reported that long-time Wallabies GM Chris Webb was walking away from the game, following a laundry list of assistant coaches and Jones hires that have not had their contracts renewed.

However, Jones denied he had spoken about the Japanese head coaching role, claiming the reporting was “false”.

“There’s no named source for these stories, so there’s no credibility about the story to start with,” Jones told FitzSimons.

“Secondly, the president of Japan Rugby happens to be a very close associate of mine. Every time I go to Japan, I have coffee with him. We talk about rugby.

“Have I met Japanese representative? Yes. But I have done that for 30 years.”

Jones admitted the last time he had dinner with a Japanese rugby official was in February — he signed on with the Wallabies in January.

Asked why if he wasn’t taking part in the next round of interviews for the Japanese job he didn’t come out and convincingly deny the reports to the Japanese media, Jones said: “That’s not my job to do. To respond to every rumour that’s been said about me, I’d need a full-time PR person.”

It’s been a rough ride for Eddie Jones. Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP

Asked about if he had a fallback position worked out, Jones hit out the situation.

“I’m so pissed off with the situation now,” Jones began. “I’m really pissed off with what has happened.

“Look, I take responsibility for the bad results. But I don’t take responsibility for 20 years of decline of Australian rugby. And that’s what’s trying to be pinned on me.”

Jones added he stood by his decisions and admitted he “knew the Wallabies weren’t good enough.”

The 2023 World Cup Wallabies were the youngest squad ever assembled for the tournament, adding his only regret was “being foolish enough to take on the challenge of trying to change the team in such a short period of time.”

As for leaving out the likes of former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper, Jones said: “I stand by it, 100 per cent. He is a great guy but the timing is not right for him.”

Hooper will play for the Barbarians in the November 4 match in the testimonial for Welsh legend Alun Wyn-Jones.