Team needs 'new ideas'

Japan coach Eddie Jones said Friday that the team needs a coach with "new ideas and new energy", several days after announcing plans to quit after the World Cup.

The 55-year-old Australian, who has been the Brave Blossoms' coach since 2012, will step down on November 1.

His contract was due to expire this year.

"It would have been easy for me to continue for four years if they really wanted me to," Jones told a press briefing in Tokyo ahead of a match with Uruguay on Saturday.

Jones said he had a "fantastic" tenure in Japan, but added that the side needs "new ideas and new energy".

"I'm sure the (Japan Rugby Football Union) will find an excellent coach to do that," he added.

Team captain Michael Leitch, said that the team was "grateful" to Jones for making Japanese rugby stronger.

A new coach will be chosen after the World Cup starting next month.

Japan hosts the tournament in 2019.

On Tuesday, Jones said in a statement that he "will be taking on a different challenge" as he announced his resignation.

Last week reports said he had agreed a two-year deal starting in 2016 with South Africa's Western Stormers, and that the coach had acknowledged talks with the team.

Jones told Kyodo News agency this week in southern Japan, where the team was in training camp, that he had announced his resignation to end rumours and speculation about his future.

Jones took over from All Blacks legend John Kirwan in April 2012. He earlier guided Australia to the 2003 World Cup final, which they lost to England.

Jones, who is half-Japanese, also served as adviser to South Africa when they won the World Cup in 2007.

Jones suffered a stroke while Japan coach in 2013, but he made a full recovery and has overseen a drastic improvement in the team's fortunes.

Last year the Brave Blossoms broke into the world's top 10 after 10 straight wins culminating in victory over Six Nations side Italy.

At the World Cup in England, Japan will be aiming to improve a poor record at the tournament where their only win so far was against Zimbabwe in 1991.
Source: AFP