Sources with knowledge of negotiations who are unable to be identified due to the sensitive nature of the discussions told the Herald<\/em> Jones has applied for the head coaching role with the Brave Blossoms, and took part in an online Zoom interview with JRFU officials on August 25. It was the first formal interview of the process.<\/p>\n Jones was at that time in Paris with the Wallabies, two days out from a World Cup warm-up match against France. The Wallabies lost that fixture 41-17 to slump to a 0-5 record since Jones returned to the helm.<\/p>\n The Herald<\/em> put a list of questions to Jones this week through a Rugby Australia spokesperson. The Wallabies coach declined to comment, reiterating his position from last week that there was no truth to similar reports from Japan media and that his focus was on this weekend\u2019s must-win match against Wales.<\/p>\n Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has declined to respond to a series of questions about the situation.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said in a statement: \u201cI take people at their word and Eddie\u2019s said there\u2019s nothing in it. So, as far as I\u2019m concerned, that\u2019s the end of the story and everyone\u2019s focus is on this weekend\u2019s crucial game against Wales.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked whether Jones had been interviewed, a Japan Rugby Football Union spokesperson said a selection process was \u201cunder way\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a policy that we won\u2019t disclose any information about any candidates until we announce the new head coach, so unfortunately there is no comment from our president at the moment,\u201d the spokesperson said. \u201cThe new head coach has not been decided yet.\u201d<\/p>\n Just eight months have passed since Rugby Australia sacked Dave Rennie as Wallabies coach and announced the Kiwi would be replaced by Jones following the 63-year-old\u2019s own dismissal as England boss late last year.<\/p>\n Jones is one of the last three candidates for the job after a highly confidential process which, according to the JRFU website, is being run by global executive search firm Odgers Berndtson and led by Troy de Haas, head of the company\u2019s Asia-Pacific sport and entertainment practice.<\/p>\n The JRFU has insisted on running an independent process to appoint a world-class coach. Applications closed on August 18.<\/p>\n Jones last week denied being in the mix for the Japanese vacancy, dismissing a report from Japanese media that named him as a possible candidate as \u201cbullshit and gossip\u201d. South African coach Frans Ludeke was also mentioned in the report as a potential option.<\/p>\n Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan was influential in the decision to bring Jones back to Australia but will be faced with a huge problem if the Wallabies coach walks away.<\/p>\n Eddie Jones\u2019 tenure with England came to an end in December.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n The Herald<\/em> contacted McLennan to ask whether he knew that Jones had interviewed with Japan. He said he had not spoken to Jones about the matter.<\/p>\n The Herald<\/em> can also reveal Jones was open to the idea of attending a second interview, in person, with Japanese officials who have travelled to France for the World Cup.<\/p>\n Jones has a close relationship with JRFU president Masato Tsuchida. However, the JRFU may be inclined to hire a different coach to the one who helped Japan beat South Africa in a famous victory at the 2015 World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cA competitive remuneration package will be offered,\u201d reads the candidate briefing document, obtained by the Herald<\/em>. \u201cThe primary purpose of this role is to ensure that the Brave Blossoms are successful on the international stage … over the next four-year term.\u201d<\/p>\n Jones previously coached Japan between 2012 and 2015.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n The JRFU, which has ambitions to host and win a Rugby World Cup within the next 16 years, has shortlisted a number of candidates with a strong connection and understanding of Japanese rugby.<\/p>\n Jones is under pressure to deliver with the Wallabies after the team\u2019s surprise defeat to Fiji \u2013 Australia\u2019s first in 69 years.<\/p>\n Earlier this year, Jones caused a stir by suggesting on a podcast that he would leave as Wallabies coach whether the team won this year\u2019s World Cup or not. He then clarified his position but his involvement with the Japanese selection process suggests Jones had been contemplating a premature exit from Australian rugby.<\/p>\n Jones was sacked in 2005 by the Australian Rugby Union after a four-year stint as Wallabies coach.<\/p>\n On Friday, Jones refused to commit to the Wallabies beyond the World Cup, despite Rugby Australia luring him back to Australia on a five-year deal that runs until the 2027 World Cup on home soil.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I want to coach as best as I can on Sunday. That\u2019s all I can say. That\u2019s the only job I\u2019ve got at the moment,\u201d Jones said.<\/p>\n Wallabies assistant coach Jason Ryles said he would be surprised if Jones walked away from the role.<\/p>\n \u201cI see his vision beyond the World Cup and it\u2019s one of those things where he hasn\u2019t said anything to us obviously,\u201d Ryles said. \u201cBasically, watch this space. There is a big job ahead for the next four years with the Wallabies, which he\u2019s started already. He\u2019s got some pretty good foundations down.<\/p>\n \u201cTo walk away from that would be a bit of a surprise because there is a lot of green shoots for the future. I\u2019m not too sure what he\u2019ll do to be honest with you. It\u2019s good to have options by the sounds of it.\u201d<\/p>\n The Wallabies play Wales in Lyon on Sunday night (Monday 5am AEST).<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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