TOKYO: Japan head coach Eddie Jones (pictured) is in hospital with signs of a minor stroke ahead of his squad’s test against the All Blacks in Tokyo on November 2, officials said yesterday.
The 53-year-old Australian complained of a headache late Tuesday when he returned to Tokyo from an inspection of the Brave Blossoms’ training camp, a spokeswoman for the Japan Rugby Football Union said.
“He was with the team’s staff at the time and they went together to a hospital in Tokyo by taxi,” Mayuko Watanabe said.
“The doctors said he was showing signs of a light cerebral infarction and he was hospitalised for examination.”
Japan general manager Kensuke Iwabuchi told Japanese media Jones was conscious and able to talk.
“He has no problem with communicating.”
Another union official said Jones was put in an intensive care unit as a routine step in examination and was expected to be “moved to a general ward in a few days.”
Former Springbok coach Jake White, one of Jones’ close friends in South Africa, told the rugby website Keo.co.za that he had spoken to Jones’ wife.
“He is in intensive care and he currently doesn’t have movement on his left side but he is talking - and typical of Eddie - it’s about the challenge of the All Blacks and the subsequent European tour,” said White.
The union official said he had heard about the paralysis. “But its extent is not clear whether it is just mere numbness.”
Jones’ condition was made known on the day the union announced a 32-man squad for the All Blacks test and a four-game tour of Europe.
In a press statement, Jones declared the Brave Blossoms were raring to upset the world champions.
“I am excited to create another new history,” he said, recalling Japan’s victories over Georgia and Romania last year -- their first test wins in Europe outside of a Rugby World Cup -- as well as their defeat of under-strength Wales at home in June this year.
“I have selected the best 32 players who are performing well at the moment.”
The squad included two uncapped players, Yamaha Jubilo No. 8 Kyosuke Horie and Panasonic Wild Knights wing Akihito Yamada, along with four New Zealand-born players -- Luke Thompson, Michael Broadhurst, Justin Ives and Male Sa’u. AFP
