Japan's new&nbsp;rugby&nbsp;union coach Eddie Jones said on Wednesday that he was aiming to make his side one of the best four teams in the world and unearth global sporting talent such as Japanese star baseball player Shohei Ohtani. Jones takes over Japan for a second spell after a calamitous, short-lived stint with Australia and a seven-year run with England that took them to a World Cup final in 2019 but also ended in acrimony after a poor run.

His first game back in charge of the Brave Blossoms, currently ranked 12th, is against his old side, fifth-ranked England on June 22 in Tokyo. "There's no reason why we can't jump into the top four," Jones told reporters at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo. "We need to create a new style of play that is adventurous, that suits Japanese instincts, that is attacking."

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He also spoke about attracting talented players to the team. "It's about how we can make young players be really ambitious in wanting to be the best player they can and create the next&nbsp;rugby&nbsp;Ohtani," he added, referring to the dual-threat Major League Baseball player who is a national hero in Japan.

Jones defended his tenure at Australia, which resulted in just two wins in nine matches and the nation's earliest-ever departure from a World Cup in 2023, saying he had left the team "in a better place". "Don't have any regrets. Like I tried to do my best in a short period of time. And what I think I've left Australia is a young squad that's capable of doing well," he said. "Sometimes you got to leave things in a better place and maybe you take responsibility for the failure, which is okay."

Japan's new rugby union coach Eddie Jones said on Wednesday that he was aiming to make his side one of the best four teams in the world and unearth global sporting talent such as Japanese star baseball player Shohei Ohtani.

Japan's new rugby union coach Eddie Jones said on Wednesday that he was aiming to make his side one of the best four teams in the world and unearth global sporting talent such as Japanese star baseball player Shohei Ohtani. Jones takes over Japan for a second spell after a calamitous, short-lived stint with Australia and a seven-year run with England that took them to a World Cup final in 2019 but also ended in acrimony after a poor run. His first game back in charge of the Brave Blossoms, currently ranked 12th, is against his old side, fifth-ranked England on June 22 in Tokyo. "There's no reason why we can't jump into the top four," Jones told reporters at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo. "We need to create a new style of play that is adventurous, that suits Japanese instincts, that is attacking." Also read: Tennis: Poland's Iga Swiatek surges at Indian Wells to book quarterfinal with Caroline Wozniacki He also spoke about attracting talented players to the team. "It's about how we can make young players be really ambitious in wanting to be the best player they can and create the next rugby Ohtani," he added, referring to the dual-threat Major League Baseball player who is a national hero in Japan. Jones defended his tenure at Australia, which resulted in just two wins in nine matches and the nation's earliest-ever departure from a World Cup in 2023, saying he had left the team "in a better place". "Don't have any regrets. Like I tried to do my best in a short period of time. And what I think I've left Australia is a young squad that's capable of doing well," he said. "Sometimes you got to leave things in a better place and maybe you take responsibility for the failure, which is okay."

Rugby: Eddie Jones vows to find Shohei Ohtani-like talents to make Japan a top 4 side

Six state unions have demanded the immediate resignation of Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan in the wake of the failed tenure of former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones. An open letter signed by six of the eight union chairs called for an extraordinary general meeting of the RA board to oust McLennan if he ignores their call to stand down, saying they have lost "trust or faith in his leadership".

The ultimatum comes in the wake of a miserable year for the Wallabies under Jones in which they won just two of nine Tests and failed to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. McLennan was a key driver in the January decision to replace former coach Dave Rennie with Jones, whose tumultuous tenure ended last month.

The letter, whose signatories include the heads of the powerful Queensland and ACT unions, accused McLennan of "acting outside his role as a director". The union chairs stressed their call was unrelated to a recent push by RA for reforms that would create a more centralised structure.

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"This is instead a deep concern about the performance of Mr McLennan as Chair, and the damage done to the game by his performance," the letter, released on Friday, read. "During the past 12 months, Mr McLennan has made a series of calls that have harmed the standing and reputation of our game and led us to question his judgement and his understanding of high-performance sport.

"His decisions and 'captain's picks' have directly led to an historic failure at the men's Rugby World Cup and a Wallabies international ranking at an historic low (ninth), with all of the regrettable and public fallout that came with it." The unions further accused the 57-year-old of ignoring the women's and community game.

McLennan, appointed to the role in May 2020 following a long career in the business world, vowed to fight the unions' proposal. "This will be the defining moment for the battle of rugby. It's all about money and control and we have been failing for years," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"This is about principles. They (unions) are actually not putting the game first and it's about self-interest and parochialism." The signatories to the letter say they didn't approach the NSW and Victorian Rugby unions due to their ongoing centralisation negotiations with RA. The sport's player union was also not approached, they said, to avoid placing players in a compromised position.

Six state unions have demanded the immediate resignation of Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan in the wake of the failed tenure of former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.

Six state unions have demanded the immediate resignation of Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan in the wake of the failed tenure of former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones. An open letter signed by six of the eight union chairs called for an extraordinary general meeting of the RA board to oust McLennan if he ignores their call to stand down, saying they have lost "trust or faith in his leadership". The ultimatum comes in the wake of a miserable year for the Wallabies under Jones in which they won just two of nine Tests and failed to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. McLennan was a key driver in the January decision to replace former coach Dave Rennie with Jones, whose tumultuous tenure ended last month. The letter, whose signatories include the heads of the powerful Queensland and ACT unions, accused McLennan of "acting outside his role as a director". The union chairs stressed their call was unrelated to a recent push by RA for reforms that would create a more centralised structure. Also Read: Taylor Swift, Simone Biles bring star-power to stand during Packers vs Chiefs "This is instead a deep concern about the performance of Mr McLennan as Chair, and the damage done to the game by his performance," the letter, released on Friday, read. "During the past 12 months, Mr McLennan has made a series of calls that have harmed the standing and reputation of our game and led us to question his judgement and his understanding of high-performance sport. "His decisions and 'captain's picks' have directly led to an historic failure at the men's Rugby World Cup and a Wallabies international ranking at an historic low (ninth), with all of the regrettable and public fallout that came with it." The unions further accused the 57-year-old of ignoring the women's and community game. McLennan, appointed to the role in May 2020 following a long career in the business world, vowed to fight the unions' proposal. "This will be the defining moment for the battle of rugby. It's all about money and control and we have been failing for years," he told the Sydney Morning Herald. "This is about principles. They (unions) are actually not putting the game first and it's about self-interest and parochialism." The signatories to the letter say they didn't approach the NSW and Victorian Rugby unions due to their ongoing centralisation negotiations with RA. The sport's player union was also not approached, they said, to avoid placing players in a compromised position.

Rugby: Australian chairman Hamish McLennan asked to resign by state unions

Australia head coach&nbsp;Eddie&nbsp;Jones&nbsp;on Tuesday ruled out a rumoured switch to Japan, pledging to stick with the Wallabies following a disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign. "I'm staying, mate. I've always been committed to Australian rugby and I want to leave it in a better place,"&nbsp;Jones&nbsp;told a press conference in Sydney amid speculation of his imminent resignation.&nbsp;

Although the pugnacious 63-year-old said he has unfinished business with Australian rugby, he could not guarantee he would see out the rest of his four-year contract. "That's not my decision," he replied when asked if he would still be in charge for the 2027 World Cup, which Australia will host.&nbsp;

"I don't control those sorts of things, all I do is coach. We've got a review going forward and we'll see what happens at the end of the review."

As the faltering Australian side stumbled through its tournament pool games in France, reports emerged that&nbsp;Jones&nbsp;had been secretly interviewing for the head coach role in Japan.&nbsp;

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Jones&nbsp;has warm relationships with key powerbrokers at the top of Japanese rugby, having previously coached the Brave Blossoms between 2012 and 2015.

<h2>Rumours</h2>

"I haven't been speaking to anyone, mate,"&nbsp;Jones&nbsp;assured reporters on Tuesday.

"Where the rumours come from? I don't know mate, you'll have to tell me."

Jones&nbsp;also defended his decision to stack the World Cup squad with a band of unproven rookies, leaving a host of veterans at home including 125-Test former skipper Michael Hooper.

"The results from the World Cup weren't what we hoped, but I still think I've made the right decision," he said.&nbsp;

"Everyone has got their own judgement, haven't they? My choice was to go with youth and I stand by that."

Jones&nbsp;defended the team's performances, saying his one regret was telling reporters to "give themselves an uppercut" during a testy press conference at Sydney Airport before jetting off for France.

"I need to give myself an uppercut," a smiling&nbsp;Jones&nbsp;said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Part of&nbsp;Jones's long-term pitch has been the need to blood new talent ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour in 2025, and the home World Cup two years after that.&nbsp;

<h2>People love drama</h2>

After years of financial decline, Australian rugby is banking on a much-needed cash injection from those two marquee events -- and can ill afford to continue alienating crowds with lacklustre performances.

"I think I've left the Australian team in a great position to go on to 2027,"&nbsp;Jones&nbsp;said.&nbsp;

"I didn't come back to Australia to have a holiday -- to sit down at Coogee Beach and have some fish and chips and a nice flat white," he added.

"It was always going to be a battle." Once dubbed the "Walking Headline",&nbsp;Jones&nbsp;said it was no surprise his recent travails had whipped up a media frenzy in Australia.&nbsp;

"People love to see controversy over a coach," he said.&nbsp;"Either a player getting drunk, misbehaving, or the coach getting the sack.&nbsp;

"That creates headlines and people love that sort of drama."

Jones&nbsp;was hailed as the saviour of Australian rugby when he returned to the national setup earlier this year, replacing New Zealander Dave Rennie after a string of bad results. Fresh from inking a lucrative four-year contract, he predicted the Wallabies could win the World Cup this year through a special "smash and grab" raid on rugby's greatest prize.

Instead the side were bundled out in pool play -- their worst result at the tournament -- and have now slumped to seven losses during&nbsp;Jones's nine games in charge.

&nbsp;

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Australia head coach Eddie Jones on Tuesday ruled out a rumoured switch to Japan, pledging to stick with the Wallabies following a disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign.

Australia head coach Eddie Jones on Tuesday ruled out a rumoured switch to Japan, pledging to stick with the Wallabies following a disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign. "I'm staying, mate. I've always been committed to Australian rugby and I want to leave it in a better place," Jones told a press conference in Sydney amid speculation of his imminent resignation. Although the pugnacious 63-year-old said he has unfinished business with Australian rugby, he could not guarantee he would see out the rest of his four-year contract. "That's not my decision," he replied when asked if he would still be in charge for the 2027 World Cup, which Australia will host. "I don't control those sorts of things, all I do is coach. We've got a review going forward and we'll see what happens at the end of the review." As the faltering Australian side stumbled through its tournament pool games in France, reports emerged that Jones had been secretly interviewing for the head coach role in Japan. Also Read: Former Manchester United star Marouane Fellaini bids farewell to Shandong Taishan Jones has warm relationships with key powerbrokers at the top of Japanese rugby, having previously coached the Brave Blossoms between 2012 and 2015. Rumours "I haven't been speaking to anyone, mate," Jones assured reporters on Tuesday. "Where the rumours come from? I don't know mate, you'll have to tell me." Jones also defended his decision to stack the World Cup squad with a band of unproven rookies, leaving a host of veterans at home including 125-Test former skipper Michael Hooper. "The results from the World Cup weren't what we hoped, but I still think I've made the right decision," he said. "Everyone has got their own judgement, haven't they? My choice was to go with youth and I stand by that." Jones defended the team's performances, saying his one regret was telling reporters to "give themselves an uppercut" during a testy press conference at Sydney Airport before jetting off for France. "I need to give myself an uppercut," a smiling Jones said on Tuesday. Part of Jones's long-term pitch has been the need to blood new talent ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour in 2025, and the home World Cup two years after that. People love drama After years of financial decline, Australian rugby is banking on a much-needed cash injection from those two marquee events -- and can ill afford to continue alienating crowds with lacklustre performances. "I think I've left the Australian team in a great position to go on to 2027," Jones said. "I didn't come back to Australia to have a holiday -- to sit down at Coogee Beach and have some fish and chips and a nice flat white," he added. "It was always going to be a battle." Once dubbed the "Walking Headline", Jones said it was no surprise his recent travails had whipped up a media frenzy in Australia. "People love to see controversy over a coach," he said. "Either a player getting drunk, misbehaving, or the coach getting the sack. "That creates headlines and people love that sort of drama." Jones was hailed as the saviour of Australian rugby when he returned to the national setup earlier this year, replacing New Zealander Dave Rennie after a string of bad results. Fresh from inking a lucrative four-year contract, he predicted the Wallabies could win the World Cup this year through a special "smash and grab" raid on rugby's greatest prize. Instead the side were bundled out in pool play -- their worst result at the tournament -- and have now slumped to seven losses during Jones's nine games in charge. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Rugby: Australian head coach Eddie Jones commits to Wallabies denies rumour for Japan move

Rugby&nbsp;Australia (RA) confirmed on Tuesday it had accepted Eddie Jones' resignation as coach of the Wallabies. Jones told The Australian newspaper on Sunday he had agreed terms with RA relating to his exit, less than two weeks after saying he would honour his contract to lead the Wallabies to the 2027 World Cup on home soil.

"Rugby&nbsp;Australia thanks Eddie for his commitment to the Wallabies in 2023, and wishes him the best in his future endeavours," RA said in a statement. "Announcements regarding the future of the Wallabies coaching staff will be made in due course."

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RA boss Phil Waugh will hold a media conference at 2 p.m. local time (0300 GMT) on Tuesday. Appointed in January to much fanfare, Jones led a youthful Wallabies squad to the World Cup in France, where they bowed out of the group stage for the first time.

Jones's exit has triggered widespread criticism of RA's leadership, which sacked former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie with a year left on his contract to appoint Jones. RA chairman Hamish McLennan told Australian media on Monday he would not resign over Jones' failure to revive the team and blamed the Wallabies' woes on the nation's "rugby&nbsp;system".

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Rugby Australia (RA) confirmed on Tuesday it had accepted Eddie Jones' resignation as coach of the Wallabies. Jones told The Australian newspaper on Sunday he had agreed terms with RA relating to his exit, less than two weeks after saying he would honour his contract to lead the Wallabies to the 2027 World Cup on home soil.

Rugby Australia (RA) confirmed on Tuesday it had accepted Eddie Jones' resignation as coach of the Wallabies. Jones told The Australian newspaper on Sunday he had agreed terms with RA relating to his exit, less than two weeks after saying he would honour his contract to lead the Wallabies to the 2027 World Cup on home soil. "Rugby Australia thanks Eddie for his commitment to the Wallabies in 2023, and wishes him the best in his future endeavours," RA said in a statement. "Announcements regarding the future of the Wallabies coaching staff will be made in due course." Also read: Mexico Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton proud of Mercedes team after bouncing back to finish a strong second RA boss Phil Waugh will hold a media conference at 2 p.m. local time (0300 GMT) on Tuesday. Appointed in January to much fanfare, Jones led a youthful Wallabies squad to the World Cup in France, where they bowed out of the group stage for the first time. Jones's exit has triggered widespread criticism of RA's leadership, which sacked former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie with a year left on his contract to appoint Jones. RA chairman Hamish McLennan told Australian media on Monday he would not resign over Jones' failure to revive the team and blamed the Wallabies' woes on the nation's "rugby system". WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australia union accepts Eddie Jones resignation after Rugby World Cup debacle

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Rugby: Eddie Jones vows to find Shohei Ohtani-like talents to make Japan a top 4 side

Rugby: Australian chairman Hamish McLennan asked to resign by state unions

Rugby: Australian head coach Eddie Jones commits to Wallabies denies rumour for Japan move

Australia union accepts Eddie Jones resignation after Rugby World Cup debacle