Eddie Jones is continuing to deny that he interviewed for the Japanese Rugby coaching job days before the World Cup, despite strong reports from The Sydney Morning Herald’s Tom Decent suggesting otherwise.
The story sent shockwaves around the country as Jones’ character and integrity were quickly called into question.
With his side struggling to perform at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Jones could not avoid questions surrounding the rumour but was adamant that the story was false.
The Sydney Morning Herald’s Iain Payten confidently stated his belief that the story is true and that the truth will have to come out in the coming weeks.
“We have reported here at the Herald, via Tom Decent’s exclusive about Eddie doing a Zoom interview with the Japanese Rugby,” Payten told SEN 1170 Mornings.
“We stand behind that story, we’re adamant that it did happen, and Eddie is saying it didn’t happen.
“Essentially, there is a kind of a truth in the middle, and I can assure people the truth will come out on that front, by the end of the year we will know.”
Payten continued with an estimate on when the conclusion of this story may come, with Japan set to conclude it’s coaching search by the end of the year.
“Japan Rugby Union are having a process, there’s another round of interviews coming next month, they’ve said they want to have their coach announced by the end of the year,” Payten added.
“If Eddie Jones becomes that coach obviously, we know more than if he doesn’t then I dare say more information will come out regardless.
“Rugby Australia at the moment is taking Jones’ word as they much, if Eddie is saying he didn’t do it, he’s an employee of there’s they have to take his word for it.
“As I’ve said on a number of occasions, stay tuned is the message and whilst it’s frustrating right now I think we will know more (shortly).”