JUST IN: As the Japan switch approaches, Rugby Australia’s chief takes a “integrity” jab at Eddie Jones.

Benjamin Sue December 11, 2023

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After a terrible year for the governing body, Phil Waugh, the CEO of Rugby Australia (RA), wants the sport to be “a game of integrity” in the nation.

The Wallabies had a terrible year, winning just two games, after firing Dave Rennie and appointing Eddie Jones.

They were eliminated from the Rugby World Cup in the pool stages for the first time ever, and Jones left after just 10 months of a five-year deal.

Hamish McLennan, the chairman, was also compelled to resign. He was instrumental in getting the 63-year-old back to Australia.

Mark Nawaqanitawase deal

Waugh faces a number of issues, one of which is the possible player exodus to rugby league.

Wing of a star On a two-year deal, Mark Nawaqanitawase departed for the Sydney Roosters, and it seems that other NRL teams are searching Australia’s union for potential.

But what hurts Wallabies supporters the most is the problem with Jones. Notwithstanding his repeated denials of any affiliation with the Japanese Rugby Football Union, rumors in Japan indicate that an agreement to rejoin as head coach of the Brave Blossoms is nearly complete.

He has consistently maintained that reports that he had a Zoom interview were untrue, and RA had previously supported their now-former head coach in this regard.

Waugh took a jab when he claimed that their organization now needed to have “integrity,” but he has stuck by what he said when Jones was the Wallabies’ manager.

“We’ve got to be a game of integrity and a team of integrity,” Waugh told reporters after taking Eddie at his word.

It still lacks a formal name. November 25 was Eddie’s last day with Rugby Australia.

“We’re pushing on with [hoping to name] a new director of high performance, a new head coach for the Wallaroos this week, and [we’re] looking to replace the head coach of the Wallabies.

“I made my comments at the World Cup and I still stand by those comments.”

Issues with Japan?

Although most of the criticism has been directed towards Jones, there may also be dissatisfaction with Japan’s conduct.

To support the growth of rugby in both nations, RA and the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) inked a cooperation agreement in July. However, the head coach of the Wallabies was reportedly holding talks with Japanese officials less than a month later.

Although Waugh maintains that there won’t be any noticeable effects on their relationship, that can lead to conflict between the two.

“We’ll play a lot of Test matches against Japan and we look forward to continuing that strong partnership,” he added.

“I’m not going to buy into speculation around what may have happened or may have occurred. We are moving forward to putting all those appointments in place and building a really strong culture for the Wallabies going forward.