‘I feel terrible’: Eddie apologises to Wallabies fans, admits to recruiter talks

Tokyo: Incoming Japan coach Eddie Jones has apologised to Wallabies fans after being unveiled as Brave Blossoms boss on a new four-year deal but claimed his first interview for the job was only last week.

It comes as Jones admitted he did speak to representatives working on behalf of the Japan Rugby Football Union before the Rugby World Cup, despite denying in October that he had any contact with recruiters.

On the 14th floor of the Japan Sport Olympic Square in Tokyo – in golf terms, about a one wood away from the city’s Olympic and Paralympic stadium from 2021 – Jones outlined his vision for Japan rugby’s new era in front of more than 100 local reporters and a handful of foreign journalists.

However, Jones bristled at suggestions he had been disloyal to the Wallabies, despite this masthead revealing in September that the 63-year-old agreed to take part in a secret first round interview with JRFU officials on August 25 via Zoom.

Sitting alongside JRFU president Masato Tsuchida and chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi – with an interpreter by his side – Jones was asked by this masthead when he first had contact with Japan and if he felt the need to apologise for his clandestine conduct before the World Cup.

“I didn’t do an interview before the World Cup,” Jones said. “I was asked by the recruitment agency to share my experiences with them on Japan. Some people might have construed that as an interview. It certainly wasn’t an interview. The first interview I had with Japan was in December. That’s the only interview I’ve had.

Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones denied he had any early interviews for the Japan job.Credit: Viola Kam

“Apologise to Australian fans? Yep. Mate, I gave everything I could for that short period of time and it wasn’t good enough.

“I feel terrible about the results of Australia because I wanted to go back and change Australia. I feel terrible but I don’t feel any guilt at all about this process and I know you’ve been banging the drum fairly strongly on it. But I hadn’t had an interview.”

Asked whether he thought Australians would really believe that his first interview was just last week, when applications for the role closed on August 18, Jones replied: “Well, I’m not sure what they need to believe but all I can say is that the first interview I had for Japan was in December.”

Iwabuchi jumped in to give his version of events, despite being told it was definitely a first round interview and that this masthead had evidence to prove it.

The Herald’s Tom Decent asks a question of Eddie Jones at his press conference in Tokyo on Thursday. Credit: Viola Kam

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” Iwabuchi said. “I told you we had a conversation with Eddie Jones and the recruitment company to get information.”

Jones’ reputation in Australia is in tatters. Quitting less than 10 months into a five-year deal has not sat well with Wallabies fans or players.

Some of Jones’ closest friends in Australian rugby still cannot fathom the news of him returning to Japan, where he coached the national side from 2012 to 2015.

Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa said on Thursday it “just really hurts”, while Sonny Bill Williams went a step further by labelling Jones a “disgrace”.

Eddie Jones is unveiled as Japan’s head coach on Thursday night, alongside JRFU chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi. Credit: AP

Jones appeared slightly on edge and reserved during his 58-minute cameo on stage. He was asked about a tidal wave of criticism back in Australia and what it might mean for his legacy.

“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I can’t control their opinion,” Jones said.

“It [the process of getting the Japan job] sits well with me. I don’t have a problem with it.”

Jones signed a five-year contract in January with RA but resigned in late October after the Wallabies’ exit at the World Cup.

He blamed systemic issues in Australian rugby for his departure but this masthead has maintained that Jones has been involved in a formal process with the JRFU since August.

Jones told RA boss Phil Waugh there was zero truth to reports about his potential defection to Japan.

The JRFU president was grilled by local media about whether Jones had been promised the job and if he’d been approached while under contract with RA. Tsuchida said a proper process had been followed, despite intense speculation in Japan that it was always Jones’ job for the taking given the pair have a close association stretching close to 30 years.

Jones always had a second interview lined up, despite his public denials. He presented to a panel last Thursday in Tokyo and edged out South African Frans Ludeke for the role.

All year, Jones has distanced himself from the vacant Japan coaching job but has privately been keen on a return to the country of his mother’s heritage for some time. Jones moved to Japan permanently last month and now has the job that he truly desired.

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