Eddie Jones quits as Wallabies coach - reports

Coach of the Wallabies Eddie Jones during a test match in July. Photo / Scott Barbour / www.photosport.nz

Eddie Jones has reportedly quit as Wallabies coach.

Jones, who earlier this month denied he was on the move after Australia’s disastrous World Cup campaign, has resigned, the Sydney Morning Herald says.

“[I] gave it a run. Hopefully be the catalyst for change. Sometimes you have to eat s*** for others to eat caviar further down the track,” Jones told the Sydney Morning Herald’s Peter FitzSimons, saying that his overriding emotion was “disappointment”.

Jones arrived in Sydney on Thursday night following a poor Rugby World Cup campaign in France in which the two-time champion Wallabies failed to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time in the tournament’s 36-year history.

Japanese media have reported that Jones is the frontrunner to take over from Joseph. Jones denied the reports and Rugby Australia said the organisation took Jones at his word.

The 63-year-old refused to comment on whether he was heading to Japan.

“Oh well, I can’t control that mate,” Jones said of the reports when asked at the airport.

This comes after numerous disastrous defeats throughout the Rugby World Cup, where Eddie Jones insisted he was the man who would turn the Wallabies around.

“I remain committed to the Australia project,” Jones said. “I still believe I am the person to turn things around,” he said.

Jones said he plans to hold a media conference on Monday.

More to come.