All Blacks great hits out at ‘horrific’ Eddie Jones rumours as Japan issues response

Andrew Mehrtens has taken aim at Eddie Jones after it was claimed that the Wallabies head coach held talks with Japan.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Jones was interviewed by Japanese Rugby Union officials over Zoom on August 25 with a view to taking a role with the Brave Blossoms after the global tournament.

Those rumours have angered both fans and pundits alike, who have accused him of ‘treachery’, especially with the 63-year-old signing a five-year deal in January.

Reaction after Wales loss

That story was released on the day of Australia’s crucial Rugby World Cup encounter against Wales, but the vitriol has only intensified after they succumbed 40-6 to Wales, which put them on the brink of being eliminated.

“It looks horrific, doesn’t it? Coaches are looking for opportunities – the same as national unions and clubs are looking for coaches at any time. You can’t just suddenly do it at the last minute,” Mehrtens said on Stan Sport.

“The timing of it just looks horrible. He [Jones] has come out with that patriotic flag-waving and [staying on] through to 2027, [saying] we’re going to do this and that.

“Until people know, they’re going to assume or speculate that it might have been about jumping ship sooner than that and going there, which looks awful in the context.”

Jones stated that he was “committed” to the Australian job but, importantly, did not deny that the interview took place.

The Japanese Rugby Union have since released a statement, and, crucially, there was once again no denial from the governing body.

“JRFU won’t disclose any information about candidates [name of individual or progress] until we decide and announce the new head coach, so unfortunately, there is no comment from us so far because it’s not been decided,” it read.

Former Wallabies centre Morgan Turinui has, therefore, called on Jones to clarify his position on the matter.

“I think Eddie needs to come out and directly say, ‘No, I didn’t do a Zoom interview with Japan’, or ‘Yes, I did and refused their offer’, or ‘I’m giving advice to the Japanese rugby president’,” Turinui said.

“Remember, he coached in Japan [at Suntory Sungoliath] all through his England period. Or he says, ‘I’m considering jumping’. We need to know … when he says he’s committed to being in Australian rugby, that he is truly committed.

“He has a standing offer to go back there. He has for years.

“Maybe it’s hurt more because of the way we have mentioned the parochial nature of the appointment in the last six months.

“Donned the Akubra hat, talking about being Australian and what it means, going to Arnhem Land … so maybe because of that, it feels more like a betrayal than just a coach discussing what other options there might be. It’s the least organised I’ve ever seen an Eddie Jones environment.”

Rugby Australia also in the firing line

Rugby Australia also did not escape the wrath of Mehrtens and Turinui, with the ex-All Black firing a few shots in the direction of the governing body.

“I can’t see a lot of humility at the top level. Humility is important. [It is about] actually analysing and taking genuine responsibility for decisions that are made,” Mehrtens added.

“I think the perceptions from people, whether right or wrong … it’s an old boys club in there. Whether it’s Shore or the GPS schools, yes, it’s been a strong base for Australian rugby, and we have got to continue to nurture that, but people don’t see a lot of humility.

“They see cronyism a lot of the time, and if that’s the perception of the public, then you’ve got to work bloody hard to change that perception because something is not right.

“[It is about] acknowledging mistakes and moving forward, and if that means there has to be some blood spilt at the highest level, well, there has to be blood spilt.”

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