Eddie Jones: Former England head coach feels no ‘guilt’ over how he became Japan boss
Eddie Jones says he does not “feel any guilt” about becoming Japan’s head coach, six weeks after he resigned as Australia boss.
The 61-year-old, who coached England from 2015-2022, was confirmed as the new Japan head coach on Wednesday.
Jones said he had “no job to go” after reports he interviewed for the Japan job before Australia’s worst ever World Cup, going out in the group stage.
“I didn’t do an interview before the World Cup,” Jones said.
“I was asked by the recruitment agency to share my experiences on Japan and some people might have construed that as an interview.
“The first interview I had with Japan was in December and that’s the only one I’ve had.
“I don’t feel any guilt at all about this process.”
Jones, who took charge of Australia for his second stint in January, only registered two wins from his nine games in charge.
At the World Cup, the Wallabies were defeated by Wales and Fiji in Pool C, failing to reach the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
On 17 October he said he remained committed to Australia despite their poor World Cup, but resigned two weeks later.
“I feel terrible about the results [with Australia],” Jones added: “I wanted to go back and change Australia.
“Rugby Australia weren’t able to help support that so I decided to move on. I wish Australia all the best.”
‘Jones lied’
The former England coach led Japan between 2012 and 2015, which included the famous win over South Africa at the 2015 World Cup.
Jones, who took the England job after his success with Japan, was sacked in 2022 after a dismal year of results, with only five wins from 12 Tests, before signing a five-year deal through to 2027 with the Wallabies.
Former New Zealand international Sonny Bill Williams believes Jones lied about having an interview with Japan before the World Cup and that his actions have been a “disgrace”.
“Obviously he lied to the players, he lied to the public, he lied to the Australian Rugby Union,” the double World Cup winner told Australian broadcaster Channel Nine.
“I feel sorry for Japan. His track record speaks for itself.”
