Wallabies coach Eddie Jones was sacked on Friday because his recent results were unsatisfactory, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said.
”This is a very difficult decision, but the ARU strongly believes we must give the Wallabies a fresh start with a new coach who will give us the best possible chance of future success,” ARU chief executive Gary Flowers said in a statement.
Jones was appointed in 2001 and had been contracted to stay on until the Rugby World Cup in France in 2007.
He was under intense pressure after the Wallabies lost eight of their last nine internationals, with the problems highlighted during last month’s dismal European tour.
”Professional rugby is a result based game — one win in nine matches is far from satisfactory,” Flowers said.
The highlight of Jones’ career was guiding the unfancied Wallabies to the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney, when they lost 21-19 to England in extra time.
No immediate replacement for Jones was announced, with reports naming New South Wales’s Ewen McKenzie as the frontrunner in a three-way contest that also includes Auckland David Nucifora and former Queensland coach John Connolly.
Flowers said a review of the Wallabies was ongoing and would ”leave no stone unturned” in the quest to return to winning ways.
”However, it was clear that we needed to act now on the position of head coach,” he said.
Jones (45) is expected to move to Japan, where he has previously coached the national team and with which he has strong ties through his Japanese mother.
His departure is expected to mean Wallabies captain George Gregan’s world record 118 Test cap career is over.
Jones faced accusations of favouritism for refusing to axe Gregan despite his poor form on the European tour. – AFP
