Eddie Jones has stepped down from his position as Wallabies head coach less than a year into his five-year contract following their World Cup pool stage exit.
According to a Sunday report by Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald, Jones and Rugby Australia have reached an agreement to see him part ways just one month after the Wallabies were booted out of the World Cup for the first time in their history.
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This brings an end to one of the most tumultuous periods in Wallabies history, during which Jones was reported to have held a “secret interview” with Japan rugby about returning the now-vacant head coach job.
The Wallabies only won two Test matches under Jones this year, against minnows Georgia and Portugal.
Jones, who controversially left former captain Michael Hooper out of Australia’s World Cup squad, has repeatedly refuted rumours of his departure and has told Australian media that he is committed to Australian rugby for the long term.
However, speaking to Sydney Morning Herald‘s Peter FitzSimons, Jones said he was “disappointed” to resign.
“[I] gave it a run. Hopefully be the catalyst for change. Sometimes you have to eat s**t for others to eat caviar further down the track,” Jones said.
Photo: William West/AFP