Rugby Australia

Eddie Jones expected to quit Australia and confirm his return as Japan coach

According to a story in Sponichi, the Japanese sports newspaper, Jones is poised to return as Jamie Joseph’s successor in the vacant head coach role. Japan also failed to progress to the quarterfinals of this year’s show-piece in France.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported last month how Jones, who is under contract with Rugby Australia until the end of their home World Cup in 2027, had secretly interviewed with the Japan Rugby Football Union by video call before the start of the World Cup, just days before the Wallabies’ final warm-up fixture against the hosts France.

Tourism Fiji encourages heartbroken Wallabies fans to support the pacific

Wallabies legend and Fijian rugby league representative, Lote Tuqiri, has already jumped on board, announcing he’ll drop the green and gold for the black and white of Fiji. In fact, his nephew will even be taking the field, who is a part of Fiji’s 2023 Rugby World Cup squad.

Rugby Australia bosses expect four more years from Jones

The Wallabies' hopes of avoiding a first ever opening-round exit are hanging by a thread despite Sunday's 34-14 win over Portugal, who they now need to beat Fiji next weekend without allowing the Pacific islanders a bonus point.

"It's been bitterly disappointing," former test flanker Waugh told reporters in Saint Etienne.

"I think we came here with a lot of hope and optimism and where we sit here now, everything's out of our hands, ... very disappointed with the journey to where we are today. And we've got a lot of work to do."

Rugby Australia re-sign 'world class' Valetini to long-term deal

Long regarded as a player of significant potential the 24-year-old is entering his prime years as Australian Rugby looks forward to a golden decade including a British and Irish Lions tour in 2025.

He celebrates his new contract by being named the 2022 Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year, following his sensational form for the Brumbies last season, who fell one-point short of reaching the Grand Final.

The presentation kicks-off the 2022 Rugby Australia Awards, which will be announced throughout February and March.

Eddie Jones addresses Quade Cooper's Wallabies future

The incoming Australian coach has five Tests and eight months to figure out his preferred World Cup squad after Dave Rennie was sensationally axed on Monday.

Rennie himself was still tinkering, particularly in the spine, with a 44-man squad in camp last week not including veteran five-eighths James O’Connor or Bernard Foley.

Japan-based Cooper was there on the Gold Coast alongside young Super Rugby Pacific pair Ben Donaldson (Waratahs) and Noah Lolesio (Brumbies).

Rennie confident he had backing of Wallaby players

In a bombshell move by Rugby Australia, New Zealander Rennie was peremptorily fired after three seasons in the post and replaced by Australian Eddie Jones, who was sacked as England coach in December.

In a statement Rennie expressed disappointment that he wouldn't be able to fulfil his contract and lead them to this year's Rugby World Cup.

"I'm disappointed I won't be able to see out my contract in the way I agreed to back in 2019 but leave knowing I had the full support of the playing group and the staff."

Rugby Australia reportedly held secret talks with Eddie Jones 14 months before $4.5m Wallabies deal

On Monday morning, Dave Rennie was sacked as Wallabies coach following an underwhelming three-year stint as national mentor — his win percentage of 38.24 was the lowest of any Wallabies coach with more than 30 Tests.

Jones was unveiled as Rennie’s replacement, set to lead the Wallabies through to the 2027 World Cup on home soil. He officially starts the new role on January 29.

Rugby Australia urged to sign up Eddie Jones after England sacking

World Cup-winning Wallaby Simon Poidevin, a Randwick stablemate of Jones, said the 62-year-old should be hired as Dave Rennie’s technical director leading into next year’s World Cup, or as Rennie’s successor after that.

Sources close to RA say Australia is interested in talking with Jones and the Sydney Morning Herald understands there is no non-compete clause in his deal with the RFU. Jones will walk away with a payout worth a minimum of $1.3 million and nothing on his books for the new year.

Cheika in tears after win

Australian Cheika was coach of the Wallabies between 2014 and 2019, but after initially taking on a consultant role, took over Argentina fulltime in March.

He masterminded a seven-try romp for his side against a depleted Wallabies, Argentina's biggest ever win over Australia and their largest in the Rugby Championship.

"I love these guys, they're my crew now," Cheika said. "I was up on the last try, cheering. But then I started crying because I know I probably shouldn't be doing this. It was a bit confusing for me, personally.

Rugby Australia condemns 'offensive remarks' towards England coach

Jones was involved in two altercations with Australia supporters who called him a "traitor" after his side's 21-17 win at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Andy Marinos says the comments by spectators were "unacceptable" and "not representative of the values of rugby".

"We have a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behaviour," he said.

"We are working with Venues NSW on appropriate sanctions for these individuals.