Eddie Jones carrying ‘no wounds’ from messy Australia exit

Eddie Jones has said that his Australia stint is now behind him and he is focused on his role with Japan. PHOTO: REUTERS

UPDATED Apr 16, 2025, 12:30 PM

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MELBOURNE – Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones says he has moved on since his acrimonious exit from Australian rugby and feels comfortable with himself in his role at Japan.

The 65-year-old returned to his roots at Sydney’s Coogee Oval on April 15 where his Under-23 Japan team were edged 36-31 by his former club Randwick.

Jones oversaw Australia’s worst World Cup performance at the 2023 tournament in France, where the Wallabies exited the group stage for the first time, and resigned 10 months into his five-year deal.

He was confirmed as Japan’s head coach weeks after quitting the Wallabies, having repeatedly denied reports he had interviewed for the role before the World Cup.

The saga irked Australian fans and pundits but Jones said he was unaffected by it.

“I don’t have any wounds,” he told Australian media.

“You might have wounds. I don’t have any. You make decisions, you move on with it, people can think what they want. It doesn’t really affect me. I can sit pretty quietly at night and be comfortable with myself.”