Japan coach Eddie Jones says Rugby World Cup schedule ‘fair’, helps small teams
He says that, unlike in previous tournaments, the fixtures for next year’s event give all teams equal preparation time between matches
Eddie Jones said on Tuesday that next year’s Rugby World Cup schedule gives smaller teams a “fair” chance of upsetting the sport’s big boys as he plots another shock with Japan.
The tournament opens on Friday, October 1, with the hosts playing debutants Hong Kong at Perth Stadium.
Jones was in charge when Japan stunned South Africa at the 2015 World Cup but then had only four days to prepare for their next game against Scotland, which they went on to lose.
The Australian is now in his second spell as Japan coach and he said next year’s World Cup schedule was “pretty equitable” for all teams.
“We’ve got six days between every game, which is a fair preparation period,” said the Australian, whose team have been drawn in a pool with France, Samoa and the United States.