Eddie Jones Aims High: Expresses Desire for Japanese Players to Mirror Shohei Othani’s Success

Until the ’15 World Cup, HC Jones demanded hard work from his players. He mercilessly scolded players who did not meet the required level.’ Kenju Fukuoka (31, retired), who scored four tries in the 2007 tournament and contributed to the first-ever top eight finish, was one of those who was reprimanded at the training camp in 2012 for showing signs of unwillingness and told to “Go home! He was one of the players reprimanded at the training camp in 2012 for showing a lack of motivation and told to go home.

But at the February training camp, the HC said, “Amazing! Amazing! He always praised the players with a smile on his face, as if he had changed.

He said, “Times have changed, generations have changed, and coaching has also changed. Thirty years ago, when I started coaching, discipline was important and creating an atmosphere that scared the players was important. But now I guide them well and encourage them to think of solutions on their own. However, I never change the standards I demand. When I have a tough talk with players, I go to them individually.”

The professionalization of rugby, which used to be a corporate sport in Japan, has created an environment in which players can concentrate on the game, but there are some unforeseen downsides.

Suntory (now Tokyo Suntory Sangoliath), which I coached in the past, had many players practice after selling beer. Playing rugby was their greatest pleasure, and they had a love of rugby. But now it is different. When rugby becomes their job, they do not want to talk about rugby even when they have free time. As a result, they don’t learn much about rugby anymore. One of the things Japanese players need to do is to create an environment where they can get their love of rugby back.”

Jones went to a yakiniku restaurant with all the players on the night of the Fukuoka training camp, and they talked about rugby to no end.

35-year-old Leach Michael (Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo), who was the captain of the Japan national team at the World Cup in 2003, was also invited to the training camp and was greatly inspired.

I could feel Eddie’s desire to win,” said Michael. I would like to be selected for the Japan national team and play with him again. My goals are high, but I want to work hard as a player and change Japan once again!

HC Jones concluded his speech with this pledge: “The players will be back in ’27.

The players are at the start of a roller coaster ride for the ’27 tournament. There are mountains and there are valleys. Right now we are in 12th place, but if we can come out on top at the finish it will feel really good.”

In the various trials, there may be times when the results are not good enough, and there may be times when you feel down. However, it will be exhilarating to climb back up again to the top. The great general hopes to enjoy this thrilling roller coaster-like process with his athletes, using a different coaching approach than he did nine years ago.

From “FRIDAY” March 15, 2024 issue