Title: Eddie Jones Resigns as Australia Coach After Disappointing Rugby World Cup Campaign
SYDNEY (AP) — Eddie Jones, the head coach of the Australia rugby team, has made the decision to step down from his position just 10 months into his five-year contract. This comes in the aftermath of the Wallabies’ dismal performance at the Rugby World Cup, where they failed to progress beyond the pool stage for the first time ever.
The Australian team suffered defeats to Wales and Fiji, causing their early exit from the tournament held in France. Despite assurances from Rugby Australia that Jones was fully committed to his role, there were reports suggesting he had met with officials to explore a potential return as Japan head coach. On Friday, Jones informed Rugby Australia that he was willing to walk away, and the terms of his departure were agreed upon on Sunday night.
Jones will not receive any payout from his AUD 5 million contract, which he signed when he took over as Australia coach for the second time in January after being dismissed by England. Speaking about his resignation, Jones expressed disappointment about the inability to enact immediate changes to the system. He emphasized that he holds no grievances towards anyone and has thoroughly enjoyed coaching the players. In his eyes, the players simply need a better environment to train and compete in.
Although Rugby Australia has initiated a review of the Wallabies’ performance in the World Cup, Jones will be leaving before it is completed. His appointment earlier this year was seen as a promising turning point for Australian rugby, as the 63-year-old coach was entrusted with overseeing both the men’s and women’s games in the country. Moreover, he was tasked with leading the Wallabies to success in their home World Cup in 2027.
However, Jones’ return has been anything but successful. The team had endured a string of five consecutive losses leading up to the World Cup, finishing last behind New Zealand, South Africa, and Argentina in the Rugby Championship. Additionally, they suffered a 2-0 loss to New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup series. Jones took a gamble by relying on a young squad, opting to exclude experienced players like flyhalf Quade Cooper and former captain Michael Hooper. Nonetheless, prior to their departure for the tournament, Jones boldly claimed that the Wallabies would emerge as victors.
Instead, Australia faced their first defeat against Fiji in 69 years and suffered their heaviest-ever loss to Wales, with a scoreline of 40-6. The team only managed to secure wins against Georgia and Portugal during the competition.
At present, Jones is in Britain where he will coach the Barbarians invitation side against Wales before heading to Japan for a holiday with his wife.
In conclusion, Eddie Jones’ resignation as Australia coach has been a major setback for the Australian governing body. His brief second stint as Wallabies coach, following his previous tenure from 2001 to 2005, has been marred by disappointment. While the team’s early exit from the Rugby World Cup was a major blow, it is clear that there are underlying challenges that need to be addressed in order to restore the Wallabies to their former glory. The search for a new coach capable of guiding the team to success in the 2027 World Cup now begins for Rugby Australia.
