EDDIE JONES HANDED HUGE BAN AFTER VERBAL ABUSE IN JAPAN

Japan Head Coach Eddie Jones has been suspended for six weeks by his employers after he was caught verbally abusing match officials.

The 66-year-old former England Head Coach was involved in a bust-up with officials during a Japan under-23s tour of Australia. The side is currently on a four-match tour down under, which saw the Brave Blossoms win three out of four matches.

They beat Fiji U20s, as well as club sides Stockman Rugby and Jones’ former side Randwick, with their one loss coming against Australia U20s. It is not clear in which match Eddie Jones had an incident with officials, and it is not known what he said.

As well as the suspension, Jones will have his wage reduced and has been barred from taking any part in the next four matches for the senior national team.

‘I take this disciplinary action very seriously,’ Jones said, accepting his punishment. ‘At the U23 Japan national-team match held in Australia the other day, my inappropriate remarks caused discomfort to the local match officials and all those involved.

‘I apologise to everyone involved, and I deeply regret my words and actions. I will strive to ensure that such an incident does not happen again.’

Jones will now miss Japan’s two games against Hong Kong, a Japan XV game against the Maori All Blacks, as well as their Nations Championship opener against Italy. He will be back in time for Japan’s game against Ireland on July 11.

That game will take place in Newcastle, Australia, which Jones previously objected to and said that Ireland gets favoured treatment from World Rugby, as the test was supposed to be a home game for Japan.

Jones returned as Japan’s head coach after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, winning five out of 13 test matches since his return.

2026-05-13T18:31:32Z