Eddie Jones
The Japanese Rugby Football Union (JRFU) has announced that its national coach, Eddie Jones, will also serve as Director of Rugby at the new Super Rugby team that will enter the competition in 2016.
Jones, who has served as head coach of Japan since 2012, will head up rugby operations to create a stretagic plan for the team’s development whilst the JRFU is still to announce its plans for a head coach, or what shape its football department will take.
Following his appointment, Jones said, “Super Rugby is an extremely important challenge for Japan rugby. It will enable us to evolve from the Japan Rugby Top League to the test level through the fierce Super Rugby competition.
“It will bring many Japanese players an opportunity to play international rugby on a regular basis. I feel a big responsibility and a great honor for becoming the first Director of Rugby and, above all, look forward to be able to set up a team with those who represent Japan rugby for both management and players.
“We would like to challenge to Super Rugby with pride and passion and give Japanese players with an international-level rugby experience.”
The JRFU also announced that it had established a corporation by the name of Japan Super Rugby Association (JRSA) that will manage the team as it enters its first year of operation in 2016.
Its primary outline of operation will include the particulars of holding matches, the selection and development of players, the utilisation and management of commercial rights, match ticket sales, plus advertising and public relations.
Mr Yoshitaka Tashiro, who is a board member of the JRFU will serve as the inaugural Chairman while Yuichi Ueno who is a council member as the Asian Rugby Football Union will be the Chief Executive Officer.
Others members on the Board of Directors include Tatsuzo Yabe (Chairman, JRFU), Toshikazu Tagawa (Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC) and Yusuke Sakaue (Dentsu Inc.)
More details on the set-up of the organisation and the contracting of players will be released in the coming months.
Now, will Jake White wriggle out of his Montpellier contract to go join his old pal, Eddie van der Jones in coaching the Japanese Super Rugby Franchise??