Sonny Bill Williams launches on former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones as he takes Japan job

Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has come under heavy fire after landing Japan’s top job despite months of denying links to the role.

Sonny Bill Williams has labelled Eddie Jones a disgrace. Picture: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has been labelled a “disgrace” and someone “you can’t trust” by former players after being confirmed as Japan’s new coach having denied repeatedly he was even in the running.

World Cup winning former All Black and NRL star Sonny Bill Williams launched a scathing attack on Jones, declaring “he lied” so many times about his links to the job while he was in charge of the Wallabies that he’d “shown that he’s not about” things likes trust and loyalty.

Former England player Andy Goode was equally blunt on Jones, who was sacked as English coach before taking charge of the Wallabies, declaring on social media platform X that he was “a man you can never trust!!”

Absolutely never spoken to them maaaate! Nek minnit Eddie Jones gets the Japan job! A man you can never trust!! 🤡 pic.twitter.com/QHR7xNAq5P

— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) December 13, 2023

Having previously launched into Jones when revelations first emerged that he had interviewed for the Japan role before the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign, Williams went even harder after confirmation that Jones had secured the role.

“Obviously, he lied to the players, he lied to the public, he lied to the Australian rugby union. What a disgrace. I guess that’s my first point,” Williams said.

“Second point would be, I feel sorry for Japan. His track record speaks for itself. I’m a big believer in the proof is in the pudding and what is his proof? His proof is he’s been fired, sacked from England in the last few years. He’s burned a lot of bridges.

“I actually feel sorry for Japan that they believe this guy is gonna take them somewhere where his track record shows that he hasn’t been able to do. It seems like he’s a little bit out of touch with what’s going on.

“I guess I’m just speaking from an ex-player’s point of view. I could never believe in someone that I knew was pretty much full of crap. Japanese culture is all built on respect, loyalty, things that he’s shown that he’s not about.

“If it wasn’t for the captain’s call, the great captain’s call that it was, he might not even have had a job before Australia’s disastrous World Cup.”

Eddie Jones announced as Japan National Team Head Coach as of 1 January 2024

🔗 https://t.co/p0kKftmWsJ…#JapanRugbypic.twitter.com/EQeU7Xv63U

— Japan Rugby (@JRFURugby) December 13, 2023

Williams said Australian rugby would be better off without Jones.

“My last point would be, from an Australian rugby point of view, one of gratitude because we’re moving, we can move in the right direction,” Williams told the Wide World of Sports.

“Does he owe Rugby Australia, the public, an apology? I’d say they should be thanking him because he’s left and hopefully things can change.”

Jones is expected to front a media conference in Japan on Thursday.