IRB Rugby World Cup
Eddie Jones to leave Japan role after Rugby World Cup
ESPN Staff
August 25, 2015
© Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images

Eddie Jones has confirmed he will step down as Japan's head coach after the Rugby World Cup.

The former Australia coach revealed that his contract with the Brave Blossoms will not be renewed when it expires at the end of year, while also admitting he would not take on a permanent role with the country's new Super Rugby franchise.

"The [Japan Rugby Football] Union are going to announce this afternoon that I will not be continuing after 2015," Jones is quoted as saying on Tuesday by Japanese news agency Kyodo. "That was always the case as my contract was until the end of the year, so all they are doing is stating the obvious.

"People assumed that as I had been named the director of the new Super Rugby side I would stay on. But that was just an administrative role not a coaching role. All I was doing was help get it set up."

Jones confirmed last week that he was in talks with South African side Stormers but denied reports that he had already signed a two-year coaching deal with the Super Rugby outfit.

The 55-year-old, who steered the Wallabies to the 2003 World Cup final where they were narrowly defeated by England, succeeded New Zealander John Kirwan as Japan coach in 2012.

"I have coached for 20 years, and coached the Wallabies for five years. And with hindsight I should have left after four," Jones said. "Four years is enough for an international coach and I have put a lot into this. It's been one of the hardest jobs I have done.

"My focus was always to change Japanese rugby history and ensure Japan was a serious rugby nation by the time I left."

Japan have been drawn in Pool B for the upcoming World Cup in England, alongside South Africa, Scotland, Samoa and the USA. They will become the first Asian nation to host the tournament when the following edition kicks off in 2019.

"The decision doesn't change anything we have done or are going to do," added Jones. "The players aren't thinking past the World Cup. We are just focused on what we have to do.

"And by making the decision now, it's a great opportunity for the JRFU to find a new person with a new perspective and new ideas so he can build a team towards 2019."

© ESPN Staff

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