JRFU's bewildering plans for Top League reform spark skepticism, opposition
The news that the Japan Rugby Top League is to undergo reform following this year's World Cup should have been met with heraldic fanfare, given the nation's recent entry into the Reiwa Era. But having spoken to a number of coaches, players and longtime observers ...
Former Brave Blossoms coach Eddie Jones laments demise of Sunwolves
Former Japan coach Eddie Jones said Tuesday that the Japan Rugby Football Union needs to find an alternative to the Sunwolves if it is to achieveits long-standing goal of being a major rugby power. "If Japan wants to be a top-10 country in the world, ...
Eddie Jones grateful for Scotland 'lesson' ahead of World Cup
England head coach Eddie Jones said he hoped his team would learn a valuable World Cup lesson after it was "seduced by the scoreboard" as Scotland produced an astonishing fightback in a 38-38 draw at Twickenham on Saturday. England, knowing before kick-off their title hopes ...
Brave Blossoms must beat higher-ranked nations to gain respect
Playing against my England team at Twickenham last month was incredible for Japan. The Brave Blossoms also played New Zealand at home last month and Australia last year. Compare that to when I was Japan head coach. We played Georgia in Tbilisi and Romania in ...
Upset-minded Japan falls as England's reserves rise to occasion
The history books will show England beat Japan 35-15 on Saturday in front of 81,000 fans at Twickenham Stadium, but for 55 minutes Michael Leitch and the Brave Blossoms had many thinking a sequel to the "Miracle of Brighton" was in the cards. Three years ...
Japan's win over South Africa set to be turned into movie
Japan's famous win over South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, regarded by many as one of the greatest sporting upsets of all time, will to be turned into a movie with an international all-star cast, the film's creator told Kyodo News. Award-winning Australian ...
Kyushu set to play key role in RWC buildup
A sense of familiarity, long-standing historical ties, and a look to the future have ensured the southern island of Kyushu will resemble Little Britain in the buildup to next year's Rugby World Cup. England, Scotland and Wales have announced they will be based in the ...
Japan needs to act now to capitalize on 2015 RWC success
I think there have been some amazing developments and some not-so-amazing developments in Japanese rugby since the 2015 Rugby World Cup. When I look at the young players coming through from university now, their physical development has improved close to 80 percent. Players now are ...
Eddie Jones: Preparation is key to Rugby World Cup success
I've got a calendar here and it says 495 days, four hours, five minutes and 23 seconds to the World Cup. We track it very closely. We started a strategic plan for the World Cup in 2016, not long after I took over the England ...
Former Japan coach and current England boss Eddie Jones has extended his contract with the national team until 2021, the Rugby Football Union announced Wednesday. Jones, who headed the Brave Blossoms from 2012 to 2015, was originally contracted with England until the 2019 World Cup ...
England coach Eddie Jones calls Sapporo Dome excellent venue for 2019 Rugby World Cup
England head coach Eddie Jones visited Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto on Tuesday and also toured Sapporo Dome, where his team will kick off its 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign. The venue, which hosts NPB's Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters — on an artificial surface — and ...
England coach Eddie Jones has challenged his players to kick on from their summer series victory in Argentina and show they are continuing to evolve when they face the Pumas for the fourth time in 13 months on Saturday. England, without a host of players ...
