Eddie Jones is set for a dramatic reunion with his former team as he leads Japan against Australia this weekend, his first meeting with the Wallabies since stepping down as their head coach after the 2023 Rugby World Cup debacle.
Now in charge of Japan for a second stint, Jones is relishing the chance to take on the Wallabies once again, hoping to extend his personal record of success against them. “I enjoy beating Australia — I coached against them 10 times for England and beat them nine times,” Jones said ahead of Saturday’s clash at Tokyo’s National Stadium. “Playing against your own country always brings out a different feeling, but it also fires up that extreme competitive spirit within you.”
Japan has never beaten Australia in six previous encounters, but Jones remains optimistic that his new-look Brave Blossoms can change that history.
Born in Australia to a Japanese mother, the 65-year-old coach has a deep connection to both nations. His coaching résumé includes two tenures with Japan and two with Australia, making this fixture especially symbolic.
The Wallabies, under new head coach Joe Schmidt, will field an experimental squad led by Nick Champion de Crespigny. The one-off test provides Schmidt with an early opportunity to evaluate Australia’s depth and direction as they look to rebuild following their World Cup disappointment.
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