Eddie Jones temporarily suspended from his role as Japans head coach

The selector of Japan, Eddie Jones, has been suspended by his own federation for verbal abuse against match officials during a tour of the Japanese U23 team in Australia. He will miss the next four Brave Blossoms matches and has also been fined a salary reduction.

In Japan, discipline is taken seriously. Since returning to lead the national team in 2023, Eddie Jones has faced consequences this week. The Australian has been disciplined by his own federation, through an independent disciplinary procedure, for committing acts of verbal abuse against match officials. These abuses took place during the tour of the Japanese national U23 team in Australia from April 1 to 15, 2026. The Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) not only decided on a salary reduction for their selector but also a six-week suspension. He will not be allowed to attend or participate in the next four Brave Blossoms matches.

Jones will therefore miss the two matches between “Japan Select” and “Hong Kong China Select.” He will also be absent from the Japan XV and Maori All Blacks match in June. Most importantly, he will not participate in the first Nations Championship match between Japan and Italy on July 4. In a statement, Jones acknowledged his actions and accepted the federation’s decision: “I accept the disciplinary measure of the JRFU regarding the tour of the Japanese national U23 team in Australia. Some inappropriate remarks I made made the local match officials uncomfortable, as well as others. I would like to offer my sincere apologies to all involved. I deeply regret my behavior and words and will do my best to ensure it does not happen again.”

Despite being a 66-year-old coach with experience, including leading Japan to a memorable victory against South Africa in the 2015 World Cup, Jones has faced this incident. As a renowned coach, he has been instrumental in the progress of Japanese rugby, having reached the finals of the 2003 World Cup with Australia and the 2019 World Cup with England. Despite this incident, he is expected to lead the Japanese team for the 2027 World Cup in Australia, where the Brave Blossoms are in the same group as France, the United States, and Samoa.