Despite his repeated denials, former Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones is set to take over at Japan.
Multiple media reports, including from Japanese publications, have stated Jones’ position will almost certainly be agreed on by the Japan Rugby Football Union on Wednesday.
He is believed to have been picked from a shortlist, including South African Frans Ludeke. If signed off as is expected, Jones will take over from New Zealander Jamie Joseph, who has returned to Dunedin to be the director of rugby at the Highlanders.
The Sponichi sports website stated, via an online translation: “It was revealed on the 8th [of December] that Eddie Jones (63), who served in the same position from 2012 to 2015, has been confirmed to return as the next head coach (HC) of the Japan national rugby team.
“If approved by the Board of Directors on the 13th, he will be officially appointed for the first time in eight years.
“Regarding the selection of the next head coach, Japan Association President Masato Tsuchida, who has a close relationship with Jones, led the return and made a secret offer to Jones, who had been Australia’s coach this spring.
“An open call was held in July, with Tokyo Bay head coach Frans Ludeke and others nominating. Final interviews were held with the two finalists in Tokyo on the 7th. As originally planned, Mr Jones was selected.”
Jones, who replaced the sacked Dave Rennie, repeatedly denied he had interviewed for the job before and during the World Cup in France, where the Wallabies failed to make the knockout phase of the tournament after a horror pool phase which included defeats to Fiji and Wales. He resigned soon afterwards.
Jones, fired by England last year and taken on by former Rugby Australia chief executive Hamish McLennan, who has since lost his job, led the Wallabies to two victories in 11 Tests, his only wins coming against Portugal and Georgia.
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