Japan coach Eddie Jones says he is “looking for a laundry basket” after being banned from the touchline for the Brave Blossoms’ opening Nations Championship match against Italy.
The veteran coach made the tongue-in-cheek remark while addressing reporters for the first time since the Japan RFU sanctioned him for verbally abusing a match official during a Japan U23 tour of Australia in April.
Jones was handed a four-match suspension and a salary reduction by his own union following the incident.
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Referencing former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho’s famous attempt to evade a touchline ban by hiding in a laundry basket, Jones joked that he may need a similar plan.
“He went into the dressing room in a laundry basket, so I’m looking for a laundry basket,” said Jones, before quickly adding that he was “only joking”.
Despite the light-hearted moment, the 66-year-old struck a remorseful tone when discussing the incident.
He began his media conference by reading a prepared apology and admitted he was disappointed by his actions.
“I love the game of rugby, so I do feel very disappointed in my own behaviour that I’ve brought the game into this area where we have to discuss it at a press conference,” he said. “But like everyone, we make mistakes and now it’s time to move on.”
Jones revealed that he has spent part of his suspension undertaking community coaching work in Singapore.
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The former England and Wallabies coach served a six-week suspension from 24 April to 5 June, during which he was barred from rugby activities and prevented from attending matches in Japan’s domestic competition.
He has already missed two fixtures involving a Japan select side against Hong Kong and will also be absent for a Japan XV clash against the New Zealand All Blacks on 27 June.
While Jones is allowed to coach at Japan’s training camp, he remains prohibited from entering the stadium for the Nations Championship opener against Italy on 4 July.
He will return to the coaching box a week later when Japan face Ireland in Newcastle, Australia.
– AFP
Photo: Masterpress/Getty Images
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