Eddie Jones: World Rugby is incapable of making decisions about the game
- Mark Pickering
- 3 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Japan head coach Eddie Jones has criticised World Rugby after the sport’s governing body issued a statement declaring the game is in a strong position following a 200-person Shape of the Game conference in London.
The annual conference, which was attended by global rugby leaders including Japan Rugby Football Union Chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi, is “integral” to the body’s new strategic plan – which is yet to be unveiled – the International Federation announced.
World Rugby announced that the key takeaways from the gathering was that there will be no rules changes at this time, the organisation is working to celebrate the sport with better marketing and that their members unions are committed to building on the growth of the women’s game.
Speaking on the Rugby Unity podcast, Jones criticised the conference and World Rugby.
“The whole organisation is incapable of making decisions about the game,” said Jones who, in his second stint with the Brave Blossoms, is contracted through to the end of the 2027 World Cup.”
Jones, who in February named a 55-strong Brave Blossoms squad for a training camp in June, pointed his finger at the body’s structure rather than individuals.
“The way it’s structured, it’s not the personnel, it’s not the people. World Rugby is not about fans, World Rugby is an old man’s society to enforce the charter of the game.
“The fans, that’s all for the member unions to look after and they all do it differently. It just seems we’re wasting our time talking about it. The whole thing was as we predicted, a waste of time.
“At least they're consistent, they do a waste of time really well.
“We predicted this at the start, nothing would come out of it.”
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson told the governing body’s website: “The feedback from around the world is that the game on the field is broadly in a positive place. The message this week is to focus on better explaining, selling and celebrating our sport in what is an ever more competitive environment.
“Our heritage and our values are strengths, and so too is our capacity to innovate. By continuing to enhance the rugby experience – how we present the game, how we tell our stories, how we connect with fans and how we protect our players – we will futureproof the sport and unlock even greater global relevance and value.”
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