In the often outspoken world of rugby, few voices resonate as clearly as those of Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus and Japan's head coach Eddie Jones. Recently, Jones, known for his candid demeanor, received a nod of approval from Erasmus following his forthright comments about the shifting dynamics within international rugby fixtures, particularly concerning the Nations Championship.
Eddie Jones has never shied away from speaking his mind, a trait that has defined his coaching career across continents, from England to Australia, and now Japan. His latest critique was aimed at the decision to relocate Japan's scheduled home match against Ireland from Tokyo to New South Wales, Australia. This move, according to Jones, was influenced by the disproportionate sway Ireland holds within World Rugby, a situation he discussed openly on the Rugby Unity podcast.
"You know why we’re playing Ireland in Newcastle, right? Ireland have all the power at World Rugby, so we have to play our home game, which should be in Tokyo, in Australia to make sure Ireland don’t have to travel too much,"
Following these comments, Erasmus took to social media to express his admiration for Jones' fearless honesty. "We don’t always agree, but really admire this honesty and no fear mentality," Erasmus stated, signaling respect for his counterpart's willingness to address controversial topics head-on. This exchange highlights a mutual understanding that transcends their competitive history, encompassing their encounters from the November series last year to various international tournaments.
The decision to move Japan's game is not an isolated incident. Fiji also faces similar challenges, having to host their entire Nations Championship schedule in Britain, far from their home crowds in the Pacific Islands. This situation sheds light on the broader issues of logistical inequities within the sport, where some nations seemingly bear the brunt of inconvenient scheduling more than others.
Host David Pembroke of Rugby Unity probed deeper into how these decisions are made, eliciting another candid response from Jones. "I know how they took place. Ireland say: 'We’re not going from New Zealand to Japan and then back to Australia, we’re not doing that'. Japan, you want to be in the Nations Cup? Yes, of course we do, but you’ve got to use one of your home games to play in Australia. It’s simple mate, it’s not complicated."
This dialogue between Erasmus and Jones not only underscores the complexities behind the scenes of international rugby but also reflects a broader narrative where the integrity of the sport's governance continues to be a topic of intense discussion and sometimes, rightful criticism. Through their experiences and leadership, both coaches contribute to a richer, more nuanced understanding of the challenges facing rugby today.
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In the often outspoken world of rugby, few voices resonate as clearly as those of Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus and Japan's head coach Eddie Jones. Recently, Jones, known for his candid demeanor, received a nod of approval from Erasmus following his forthright comments about the shifting dynamics within international rugby fixtures, particularly concerning the Nations Championship.
Eddie Jones has never shied away from speaking his mind, a trait that has defined his coaching career across continents, from England to Australia, and now Japan. His latest critique was aimed at the decision to relocate Japan's scheduled home match against Ireland from Tokyo to New South Wales, Australia. This move, according to Jones, was influenced by the disproportionate sway Ireland holds within World Rugby, a situation he discussed openly on the Rugby Unity podcast.
"You know why we’re playing Ireland in Newcastle, right? Ireland have all the power at World Rugby, so we have to play our home game, which should be in Tokyo, in Australia to make sure Ireland don’t have to travel too much,"
Following these comments, Erasmus took to social media to express his admiration for Jones' fearless honesty. "We don’t always agree, but really admire this honesty and no fear mentality," Erasmus stated, signaling respect for his counterpart's willingness to address controversial topics head-on. This exchange highlights a mutual understanding that transcends their competitive history, encompassing their encounters from the November series last year to various international tournaments.
The decision to move Japan's game is not an isolated incident. Fiji also faces similar challenges, having to host their entire Nations Championship schedule in Britain, far from their home crowds in the Pacific Islands. This situation sheds light on the broader issues of logistical inequities within the sport, where some nations seemingly bear the brunt of inconvenient scheduling more than others.
Host David Pembroke of Rugby Unity probed deeper into how these decisions are made, eliciting another candid response from Jones. "I know how they took place. Ireland say: 'We’re not going from New Zealand to Japan and then back to Australia, we’re not doing that'. Japan, you want to be in the Nations Cup? Yes, of course we do, but you’ve got to use one of your home games to play in Australia. It’s simple mate, it’s not complicated."
This dialogue between Erasmus and Jones not only underscores the complexities behind the scenes of international rugby but also reflects a broader narrative where the integrity of the sport's governance continues to be a topic of intense discussion and sometimes, rightful criticism. Through their experiences and leadership, both coaches contribute to a richer, more nuanced understanding of the challenges facing rugby today.