Jones looks ahead to challenges ahead

TOKYO (Nov. 29) – Japan coach Eddie Jones was keen to put the current year behind him and was eager to look ahead to next year and Rugby World Cup 2015, when he made his first public appearance following the stroke he suffered on Oct. 14.

“I am at about 98 percent now,” he said when asked how his health is. “But in three to four weeks I will be better than ever.”

Jones said he had watched all of Japan’s games during the time he spent in hospital – he was released last Saturday – and said it was time to build on the performances and learn from the mistakes made.

“We need to increase our experience, improve our attack and review the way we defend,” he said, highlighting Japan’s problems against the high ball against both New Zealand and Scotland.

However, he was full of praise for the way the team had improved their set piece under forwards coaches Marc dal Maso and Steve Borthwick.

“I have no doubt we can have one of the strongest scrums in the world given the new laws,” he said. “Marc and Steve have done a great job. During the tour of Europe we won 90 percent of our line-out ball, while the opposition won 80. But we need to get sharper.”

Jones said the plan for next year was to get the players even faster and stronger.

“Next year we are going to put a real emphasis on getting even fitter and stronger, as we need to get faster in the way we play the game. We’ve got two years to go to get into the Top 10 in the world. We’ve beaten all the teams behind us (in the world rankings). Now we have to start beating those above us, such as Italy, Fiji and Tonga.”

Jones praised his staff, thanked the hospital where he spent 40 days and in a message to fans said he hoped more and more would come and watch the Japan team play as they seek to play “beautiful rugby.”