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Eddie Jones: Japan head coach says 'no reason' team cannot be top-four side

Eddie Jones Japan head coach says no reason team cannot be topfour side
There is no reason why Japan cannot become one of the world's top four teams, head coach Eddie Jones said.

Last updated on 8 hours ago8 hours ago.From the section Rugby Union

There is no reason why Japan cannot become one of the world's top four teams, head coach Eddie Jones said.

Jones, 64, took charge of Japan, 12th in the world rankings, in December.

He left his previous role as Australia head coach after overseeing their worst display at a Rugby World Cup - they went out at the pool stage in France.

"We need to create a new style of play that is adventurous, that suits Japanese instincts, that is attacking," the former England boss said.

"There's no reason why we can't jump into the top four."

Jones, whose first game in charge is against England on 22 June, says he wants to bring on new talent, and find the rugby equivalent of Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani, a two-way player for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He said: "It's about how we can make young players be really ambitious in wanting to be the best player they can and create the next rugby Ohtani."

Jones previously coached Japan for three years from 2012, leading them to a famous Rugby World Cup upset when they defeated South Africa in the 2015 pool stage.

He took charge of England in November 2015, leading them to three Six Nations titles, including one Grand Slam, and the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.

After being sacked by England in 2022, Jones was appointed head coach of Australia, who he had previously led to the 2003 World Cup final, but resulted disappointed.

"Don't have any regrets," Jones said. "Like I tried to do my best in a short period of time. And what I think I've left Australia is a young squad that's capable of doing well.

"Sometimes you got to leave things in a better place and maybe you take responsibility for the failure, which is OK."

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