TOKYO – Japan rugby head coach Eddie Jones has received a four-game suspension and a pay cut for verbally abusing local match officials during the national under-23 team’s tour of Australia last month.
The 66-year-old Australian will miss Japan’s first test match of the season against Italy on July 4 and three earlier non-test matches.
Jones is also serving a six-week suspension from his head coaching duties through June 5 over the “incidences of verbal abuse” during the Australian tour, the Japan Rugby Football Union said Wednesday.
He will be back to coach the Brave Blossoms against Ireland in the Nations Championship on July 11 in Newcastle, Australia.
In a statement from the JRFU, Jones said he accepted the disciplinary action.
“Some inappropriate remarks that I made caused discomfort to local match officials and other related parties,” the statement said. “I would like to offer my sincere apologies to everyone involved.”
Jones, who orchestrated Japan’s famous upset of South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, began his second stint as Japan head coach in 2024.
Japan will also host tests against France on July 18, Australia on Aug. 8 and Canada on Sept. 5.