Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh is not biting on news that former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones is locked into returning to the Japan national side this week.
Japenese media reports Jones has headed off South African coach Frans Ludeke, who currently plies his trade in the local Top League competition, for the national team coaching job and requires only board confirmation on Wednesday.
The appointment would complete a sorry saga that began when Jones was sacked by England 12 months ago and quickly replaced Kiwi Dave Rennie in charge of the Wallabies, dragging them through a World Cup campaign that produced only two wins from nine games and elimination in poolplay for the first time.
News of his Japan interest broke during the tournament, but he vehemently denied he was about to jump ship just one year into his five-year commitment to Australia - until he finally resigned in October.
Former Wallaby flanker Waugh had previously defended his national team mentor and remains in denial over Jones' future.
"He hasn't been named officially yet," said Waugh, in Auckland to discuss the future of Super Rugby with NZ Rugby counterparts. "Eddie finished with Rugby Australia on November 25 and we're moving forward.
"I made my comments at the World Cup and still stand by those comments. We want to be a game of integrity and a team of integrity, and took Eddie on his word."
Waugh remains focused on imminent appointments of a high performance director and Wallaroos women's coach, before testing the market for a Wallabies coach.
Like New Zealand, Australia has signed a memorantum of understanding designed to enhance its rugby relationship with Japan, but any suggestion of poaching a national coach may test that accord.
"We've got a good relationship with all national unions," said Waugh. "We play a lot of test matches against Japan and we look forward to continuing that strong partnership.
"I'm not going to buy into speculation over what may have occurred."
The Wallabies seem unlikely to face the Blossoms in a 2024 test, although Australia A may find Japan on their upcoming schedule.
New Zealand will face Japan at Tokyo, en route to their northern hemisphere tour at the end of the year.
