Eddie Jones says the 2027 Rugby World Cup’s equitable fixture list gives emerging nations a better chance to cause upsets, as Japan aims for another shock run.
JAPAN coach Eddie Jones has praised the “fair” schedule for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, saying it gives smaller teams a better chance to cause upsets.
The Australian, now in his second spell in charge of Japan, said the schedule unveiled for the expanded 24-team tournament in Australia was “pretty equitable” for all sides.
Organisers have given all teams roughly a week between matches, a significant change from previous editions.
Jones highlighted the contrast with Japan’s famous 2015 campaign, where they stunned South Africa but then had only four days to prepare for their next game against Scotland.
“We’ve got six days between every game, which is a fair preparation period,” Jones said.
“I remember in 2015 we beat South Africa and we were on the bus the next day to prepare to play Scotland — that’s hard going.”
Japan have been drawn in a pool with France, Samoa and the United States for the 2027 tournament.
They will begin their campaign against Samoa before facing France and then the USA.
Jones said his players must “work a little bit harder to get better” before the tournament kicks off on October 1 next year.
Japan reached the quarter-finals as hosts in 2019 but failed to progress from the pool stage at the 2023 tournament in France.
“There’s no limit to where we want to finish,” Jones said of their 2027 ambitions.
“The only limit that we’ve got is the amount of hard work that we’re prepared to do.”
