Retiring Tanaka praises Eddie Jones in Jones’ second stint at Japan rugby coach

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Scrumhalf Fumi Tanaka has announced his retirement from international rugby at the age of 39, ending a career which spanned one of the most successful eras in Japanese rugby. Tanaka played for three years, from 2012 to 2015, under Japan head coach Eddie Jones and ends his career with Jones again in charge of the Japan national team. That is my impression.” Tanaka said during the 2012-2015 era, Jones often was so angry than no one, not even captain Michael Leitch, could reach out to him and intercede on the players’ behalf. Tanaka said that despite Jones’ irascibility, he made an important difference to Japan rugby during his first period in charge. “We really had a low level of awareness of the game before he joined us and he opened up our eyes to get more eyes onto the many aspects of the game.” That culminated in the win over South Africa in Brighton, England in 2015 which, Tanaka said, changed the world’s view of Japan rugby.