Japan coach Eddie Jones to step down after the World Cup
Tuesday 25 August 2015 10:45, UK
Japan coach Eddie Jones is to step down after the World Cup and will not take on a permanent role with the country's new Super Rugby franchise.
The 55-year-old told Japanese news agency Kyodo that his contract would not be renewed when it expires at the end of the year.
Jones previously guided Australia to the final of the 2003 World Cup.
"The (Japan Rugby Football) Union are going to announce this afternoon that I will not be continuing after 2015," he said.
"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."
He confirmed last week that he was "chatting" with the Cape Town-based Stormers about coaching options but denied reports that he had already signed a two-year deal with the Super Rugby club.
Jones took over from John Kirwan as coach of the Brave Blossoms in 2012 after success at club level in Japan's Top League.
"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 will host the next World Cup 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."
