Eddie Jones has resigned from his role as Australia Head Coach, after just nine months in charge of the Wallabies. Jones is reported to have reached a “sensible agreement” with Rugby Australia Chief Executive Phil Waugh, yet the split comes after a great deal of speculation regarding Jones’ future plans.
Jones was constantly in the spotlight during Australia’s Rugby World Cup campaign, after reports circulated that the 63-year-old was in discussion to take up a coaching role with Japan. The reports suggested that Jones had undergone an interview for the role, after having agreed a five year deal as Wallabies Head Coach ahead of the trip to France.
These reports lacked consistency and solidarity, yet it is now confirmed that Jones will no longer be apart of Rugby Australia’s future. Jones has been quoted to say that he does not have any job offers incoming from the JRFU. Speaking to Australia outlet Channel 9 news (quoted via the Independent), Jones said;
“I’ve got no job to go to, no job offer.” “My commitment to Australian rugby has been 100%. I did want to go on. Coaching a team is a bit like being in a marriage, you need commitment from both sides.
“I was committed to change the team. Rugby Australia at the moment cannot activate the changes, financial and political, to make real change in Australian rugby.”
“I don’t like to be in projects where I don’t think they can really get to where they need to get to and I’ve made that decision.
“Rugby Australia probably doesn’t think that and that’s where the unity of our project is not in the place it needs to be.
“Sometimes you go in the bank and blow it up but you don’t come out with the money.”
The decision to see Jones and Rugby Australia part ways has understandably been a focus within the rugby media. Former England international Ugo Monye branded Jones’ decision to leave the Wallabies as “selfish” and “self centred” to BBC Rugby Union Daily.
“Australia had him on a long-term deal, but this whole project has been selfish and self-centred.”
“I think Rugby Australia were put in a tough position. Eddie is very convincing as a person and you have to sift through some of the nonsense he says at times and you know when he is just saying things for effect.
“You can’t come in and uproot a coaching staff, sack off some legends of the game, take a punt and a gamble on some young kids, get booted from a World Cup and then say ‘cheerio’.”
Jones came into the role after he was sacked as England Head Coach back in December 2022. He was eyed up as the replacement to ex-Wallabies Head Coach Dave Rennie, and struggled to lead Australia to victory in his first few matches in charge. Jones’ Wallabies underwent a winless 2023 Rugby Championship campaign last Summer, with Jones tacking significant flak for losing to South Africa, after criticising his opponents as a ‘half-baked’ Springboks side ahead of the match.
Jones’ Rugby World Cup squad saw the likes of legendary Wallabies Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper not make the cut, in a decision which left the Wallabies fans calling for answers. Jones also named 22-year-old Carter Gordon as the only fly-half in his 33-man side, leaving the likes of Noah Lolesio and James O’Connor to the way-side. The Wallabies had an underwhelming run in France, as defeats to Wales and Fiji saw Australia fail to get out of Pool C.