Eddie Jones reveals dream of Japan NRL Team

Eddie Jones has revealed an ambitious plan he would like to pursue beyond rugby union, saying his dream is to establish a Japanese rugby league team capable of competing in Australia’s NRL.

The Japan head coach believes the country has the playing talent and commercial potential to support such a venture.

Eddie Jones Eyes Japan NRL Franchise

Jones outlined the idea while discussing his career ahead of Japan’s Test against the Wallabies in Osaka.

The 66-year-old said he would love to start a Japanese rugby league team and believes a competitive squad could be assembled by combining locally developed players with quality overseas recruits.

"I'd love to start a Japan rugby league team, that'd be my dream," Jones told CODE Sports.

"It'd be tough, but I reckon you could get enough good players here and maybe get some good foreign players that you could come up with a team that could be competitive."

While Jones has spent his coaching career predominantly in rugby union, he has maintained strong links with rugby league throughout his career and has regularly spoken about the qualities that can transfer between the two codes.

Japan Could Expand Rugby League Footprint

Jones believes Japan’s economic strength and established professional sporting market could make the country an intriguing destination for rugby league expansion.

"And imagine adding Japan to the rugby league landscape," he added.

"I think it's still the third or fourth biggest economy in the world.

"How much fun would that be? It would be insane. It would be incredible."