Japan Rugby Football Union names Eddie Jones as head coach

TOKYO – Eddie Jones was named by Japan as their new head coach on Dec 13, six weeks after the Australian quit the Wallabies following their dismal showing at the Rugby World Cup.

He previously coached Japan for three years from 2012 and led them to their historic win over South Africa at the 2015 World Cup in England.

Speculation was rife that he would return after Australian media reported that he had interviewed for the job during the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign in France.

The pugnacious Jones, 63, repeatedly denied being linked with the job, but he also told reporters that he had been living apart from his Japanese wife while he coached Australia.

Jones quit the Wallabies after just two wins from nine Tests since taking over in January, including a worst-ever World Cup performance where they failed to make it out of the pool phase.

He will officially begin his second stint as Japan coach on Jan 1.

Despite being fired by England last December after their worst annual return in 14 years, he was hailed as the saviour of an underperforming Wallabies outfit.

But his insistence on fast-tracking rookies at the expense of veteran stars badly backfired in high-pressure games. Being linked to the vacant Japan job did not help his public persona either.

“Australia feels betrayed, embarrassed and humiliated, as much by Jones’ dalliance with Japan as our nation’s sorrowful World Cup effort,” The Australian broadsheet declared.

Jones, whose mother is Japanese-American, has maintained links with the country since leaving in 2015. He continued to work as a consultant to club side Tokyo Sungoliath while coaching England, making regular visits.

In his previous stint with the Brave Blossoms, he guided them to their stunning 34-32 win over South Africa at the 2015 World Cup in a match that became known as the “Miracle of Brighton”.

That was only Japan’s second win at a World Cup, and they went on to beat Samoa and the United States before exiting at the pool stage.

Jones’ successor Jamie Joseph built on that foundation, taking Japan to the 2019 World Cup quarter-finals at home.

Separately, rugby chiefs hailed the Dec 12 announcement that Guinness will be the new title sponsor of the Women’s Six Nations as a “defining moment” for the game.

The Ireland-based brewer already sponsors the men’s edition and also extended its backing of that tournament. But the decision to support the Women’s Six Nations is being seen as a landmark development.

“This is a defining moment for rugby, with huge potential on the horizon and a genuine opportunity to widen the audience for the sport,” said Six Nations Rugby chief Tom Harrison. AFP, REUTERS