Eddie Jones remains ‘really optimistic’ despite another Japan loss

Coach Eddie Jones remains “really optimistic” about the future of a young Japan side despite their series of disappointing defeats to England, Georgia and Italy in their mid-year Tests.

Jones, 64, will forever go down in history as the man who coached the Brave Blossoms to a famous upset win over the Springboks at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. That moment was later immortalised in cinema with Temuera Morrison starring in ‘The Brighton Miracle’.

But after leaving Japan, Jones took up positions with England and later Australia in late 2022 before controversially signing a deal back with the JRFU. In Jones’ second stint with Japan, it’s fair to say that it hasn’t been smooth sailing.

Japan were pumped 52-17 by Jones’ former side, England, at Tokyo Stadium last month. Georgia made global rugby headlines a few weeks later with a surprise 25-23 victory, and Italy got the job done in a one-sided Test 42-14 at the Sapporo Dome last weekend.

Unfortunately, for Jones, that convincing loss to the Azzurri was the coach’s 12^th loss in his last 14 Test matches. That run includes one loss and a draw with England, two wins from nine starts with Australia, and these three defeats with Japan.

But Jones is still positive about “the direction” of Japan’s Brave Blossoms.

“A tough start. It’s always tough to start with losses, but I am really optimistic about the direction of the team,” Jones told reporters on Tuesday.

“I know everyone is disappointed. I’m disappointed with the results but I’m not disappointed with the direction of the team.

“We knew that post the World Cup, (Japan) had an old team, and we knew we had to change the team,” he added.

“Changing the team means you bring in younger players and they just need time, they need guidance and they need patience.”

It was a one-sided contest practically from the get-go  with Italy rcing out to a 24-nil lead despite losing Ross Vintcent to a yellow card for 10 minutes. Japan hit back before the half through Dylan Riley but the visitors still held onto a big advantage.

Riley was back on the scoresheet a minute into the second half after racing away for an intercept try, but at least that was as good as it got for the hosts on the scoreboard.

Italy lost Jacopo Trulla to a yellow card in the 53^rd minute but still rallied with another two tries to round out the Test. The accurate goal-kicking boot of Martin Page-Relo also ensured the Azzurri would leave Japan with a confidence-building win.

“Congratulations to Italy on a really strong performance,” Jones said on Stan Sport.

“There were times where we had opportunities to put some real pressure on them but we just weren’t quite good enough. Italy are a strong defensive team.

“Our support play was a little bit slow in the second half and we couldn’t finish the opportunities that we created. Congratulations to Italy.”