“Linked” to Australia, Eddie Jones denies rumors of his departure

Eddie Jones sets the record straight. The Australian national team coach, who announced rumors of his departure to Japan to assume the same position, denied today, Tuesday, his desire to leave, confirming his desire to leave. “attached” In Australian rugby, despite the Wallabies’ disastrous performance during the World Cup. “I’m staying. I’ve always been associated with Australian rugby and I want to leave it in a better position.Eddie Jones announced at a press conference.

Appointed last January to replace New Zealander Dave Rennie, the former England and Japan coach was hailed as a savior upon his return to the reins of the Socceroos, which he had already captained from 2001 to 2005, notably leading the Wallabies to the 2003 World Cup final, losing to England.

But since then, Australia have lost seven of the nine matches he has officiated, most notably an unfortunate exit from the World Cup in France at the group stage, their worst result in the competition’s history.

The Australian Federation must decide

In response to a question about whether he would still be in charge of the Wallabies national team in the next World Cup, which will be organized in 2027 in Australia, Jones admitted that he did not know anything. “This is not my decision. I don’t control these things, all I do is train. “We are in the process of conducting the evaluation, and we will see what happens when it is completed.”

According to an Australian newspaper, Jones underwent performance tests even before the start of the World Cup in France to assume the position of coach of the Japanese “Blooming Flowers” ​​team, which he had previously managed between 2012 and 2015, information that Jones immediately denied.

“I didn’t talk to anyone.”Repeat Tuesday. “Where do these rumors come from? I don’t know, it’s up to you to tell me.”

Jones, who was set to regain his colors ahead of the 2027 World Cup organized on home soil to select two-time world champions (1991, 1999) but embroiled in sporting and financial difficulties, also reverted to his team’s poor performance in France.

“The results at the World Cup were not what we had hoped, but I still believe I made the right decision.”“, said the 63-year-old coach, who has been criticized in particular for transferring players with little international experience to France. “Everyone has their own opinion, right? My choice is to rely on the youth, and I am sticking to it.”he added.