Rugby-Eddie Jones quits as Australia coach after World Cup debacle

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Eddie Jones has stepped down as the coach of Australia following the disastrous World Cup campaign, but hopes to take charge of another national team before retiring, the 63-year-old disclosed in an interview with The Australian newspaper on Sunday.

Despite previously stating that he would fulfill his contract to lead the Wallabies until the next World Cup in their home country, the former coach of Japan and England mentioned that he had reached an agreement with Rugby Australia regarding his departure.

In the interview, Jones explained that his decision was influenced by the fact that he did not anticipate immediate changes to the struggling rugby system in Australia.

The young Wallabies squad he had chosen endured a disappointing World Cup, being eliminated after consecutive defeats to Fiji and Wales, resulting in their earliest exit from the tournament in history, despite being two-time world champions.

After being dismissed by England in December, Jones returned to Australia in January but only managed to secure two victories in nine matches, against Georgia and Portugal.

Throughout the World Cup, Jones faced persistent rumors that he was being interviewed for a return to coaching Japan, the home country of both his mother and wife, rumors that he vehemently denied on multiple occasions.

In his interview with the newspaper, he clarified, “I have not received any job offers… I have been separated from my wife because she resides in Japan. I want to spend some time with her and maintain our marriage. At 63, I do not wish to go through a divorce.”

Starting from December, Jones expressed his desire to “coach another international team, I would like to coach one more team. One more cycle.”

When approached by Reuters on Sunday, Rugby Australia stated that there was no comment or confirmation to provide at the time.

(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney in Paris; Editing by Bernadette Baum)