Jones to juggle Wallabies job with Suntory consultancy as Rennie expresses ‘disappointment’

Rugby Australia has agreed to let Eddie Jones continue a long-term consultancy with leading Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath while also coaching the Wallabies and may even use the connection to facilitate sabbaticals for star players.

The news of Jones juggling jobs in two countries emerged as axed coach Dave Rennie broke his silence, saying he was ousted despite having the support of Wallabies players and is disappointed to not lead them to the World Cup.

Rennie’s four-year contract as Wallabies coach was prematurely terminated this week when RA opted to sign Jones and make a coaching change just nine months out from the World Cup.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Rennie didn’t seek to use injuries or other factors to explain away his 38 per cent win record as Wallabies coach. Nor did he fire back at recent suggestions from RA chairman Hamish McLennan that the team had grown “soft” in recent times and needed a harder edge.

Pointedly, however, Rennie did not mention McLennan and Marinos in his statement and said he departs knowing he had the backing of Wallabies players.

“I’m disappointed I won’t be able to see out my contract in the way I agreed to back in 2019, but leave knowing I had the full support of the playing group and the staff,” Rennie said.

Andrew Kellaway (left) and Dave Rennie (right).Credit: Getty

“I certainly felt we have made massive shifts over the past three years both on and off the field, which is off the back of a hell of a lot of hard work put in by good people.

“I wish Eddie, the staff and the team all the best in what’s a massive year, with the Rugby World Cup less than nine months away.”

Sources familiar with the Wallabies’ independent end-of-year review – which was conducted before Christmas and was recently presented to the board – told the Herald Rennie was not singled out for blame for the Wallabies’ 5-9 season, but one of the major findings was “a lack of alignment” between the Wallabies and the RA board.

Dave Rennie and Eddie Jones.Credit: Getty

Jones begins work with Rugby Australia on January 29 as Wallabies coach and as an overseer of the Wallaroos program. He’ll have a third job, too: as coaching consultant at Japanese League One side Suntory, which he has held since 1996. Jones continued in the job while England coach, travelling to Japan when on leave.

However, the arrangement attracted controversy in 2021 when it became known, critics saying Jones should not be coaching opposing Test players such as Samu Kerevi. Jones defended the role, saying he was “practising coaching”.

In previous years, All Blacks players such as Beauden Barrett have done sabbaticals at Suntory. But when negotiating his contract to coach the Wallabies, McLennan had no qualms agreeing to Jones’ request to keep the Suntory job, which he will again only do when on leave.

Samu Kerevi in action for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan.Credit: Getty

“The RA board have allowed Eddie to continue with that consultancy,” McLennan said.

“Our view is that strategically we see Japan as a major opportunity for Rugby Australia. We could even form a controlled pathway for some of our players that do the right thing by us. It could be a major advantage for RA.”

McLennan said Rugby Australia may seek to use the Jones connection to facilitate sabbatical stints at Suntory tied to long-term contracts with Rugby Australia, similar to the five-year deal Michael Hooper signed in 2018 which allowed for a season with in Japan in 2021.

McLennan said Jones’ strong ties to Japanese rugby could also help with plans to involve the country in Super Rugby.

“I’ve discussed with Mark Robinson from NZR whether Japan should factor into our Super Rugby ambitions and we both think that we should be open to greater involvement with Japan over time. We think Eddie can help us there,” McLennan said.

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