Less than a month after Australia’s dismal World Cup campaign ended – the Wallabies for the first time in history – Jones has resigned.
Rugby Australia and Jones are set to part ways,with chairman Hamish McLennan telling this masthead Jones did not receive a payout.
Despite repeatedly telling fans and media that he was committed to Australian rugby for the long-term – as recently as a press conference in Sydney - Jones has decided he cannot continue as Wallabies boss.
It comes after that Jones had a secret interview with Japan rugby officials about taking over as the country’s head coach in 2024.
Jones with the JRFU,despite multiple news outlets reporting that is he poised to meet officials in Japan next month for a second interview.
This masthead revealed on Friday that Jones from the Wallabies job,less than 12 months into a five-year contract which was set to expire after the 2027 World Cup.
The Wallabies won two of nine Tests under Jones this year, and Portugal.
Jones spoke to this masthead’s Peter FitzSimons about his resignation and said his overriding emotion was “disappointment”.
“[I] gave it a run. Hopefully be the catalyst for change. Sometimes you have to eat shit for others to eat caviar further down the track,” Jones said.
McLennan also spoke to FitzSimons in Paris,the morning after South Africa to win a record fourth Rugby World Cup.
“Another world-class Australian coach heads back overseas,” McLennan said.
“Is it the coach or the system? Michael Cheika gets sacked in 2019 after a quarter-final loss and takes Argentina to the semis in 2023. The lunacy must end. The supply chain is broken. Centralisation is the answer.
“After losing to England,New Zealand,France,Ireland and Italy last year,it was a gamble worth taking but this proves the whole system needs to change. It’s up to the states now,the plan is there.
“The parochialism has to end. Let’s be remembered for making the tough calls and fixing it.”
Both parties have been locked in discussions over recent days about an exit for the under-fire Jones. There is final paperwork to be signed but his time as Wallabies boss is over.
The news is a major embarrassment for RA,who signed Jones on a five-year deal in January after sacking Dave Rennie following a run of inconsistent performances.
Jones failed to win a Test before the World Cup and presided over the worst Wallabies team in history at the game’s showpiece event.
At the World Cup,Australia for the. One week later,the Wallabies suffered their heaviest World Cup defeat:.
The 63-year-old told reporters before the World Cup that he was confident Australia could win the tournament.
Jones is in the UK this week and will coach the Barbarians,an invitational rugby side,that will take on Wales.
From there,Jones has said he will go to Japan for a holiday with his wife but stressed that he would not be taking a job interview while there.
“I’d like to coach one more team. One more cycle,” Jones toldThe Australian.
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