Rugby: Coach Jones wins high-level praise in Japan

Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has earned praise at the highest levels of the Japanese government as he moves on from coaching Japan's rugby side to a new post directing England's team.

Japan's Defence Minister Gen Nakatani dropped a word of thanks to Jones into his press conference in Sydney after meeting with his Australian counterpart, Senator Marise Payne and Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop.

"I'm a rugby fan and I would like to thank Eddie Jones the coach," he said.

Mr Nakatani said Jones and other Australian staff had made the Japanese team "very strong" - no doubt a reference to Japan's upset win against rugby heavyweights South Africa at this year's World Cup.

Mr Nakatani also revealed a personal affinity with the game: he's captain of the Japanese parliamentary rugby team.