Goldman Japan Chief Wants to Run Rugby Team With England's Jones

(Bloomberg) -- Goldman Sachs Group Inc.'s Japan chief is taking his obsession with rugby to the next level -- revealing in a new book that he'd like to run a professional team with England coach Eddie Jones after the 2019 World Cup.

“I want Eddie-san to join the rugby business world,” Goldman Sachs Japan Co. President Masanori Mochida said in ‘Prepare to Win,' which he co-wrote with Jones. “Both of us often talk about having a rugby team together someday that we can build into a strong one. It's very exciting to think about.”

Jones, who coached Japan to an unprecedented three victories at the 2015 World Cup before joining England, became a member of Goldman Sachs's Japan advisory board last year. He was named World Rugby coach of the year this month after England won all but one of their games in 2017. Under Jones, England will seek to win their second world title at the next tournament in Japan.

“We've been bouncing around a lot of ideas, both in Japan and overseas,” Mochida, 62, said in an emailed response to questions. “In any case, nothing will happen until after the 2019 World Cup, so we'll keep discussing until then.”

Jones, 57, said he and Mochida have become good friends since they met a few years ago. “The philosophy and lessons I've learned through rugby life can apply to business and other fields,” Jones wrote in the Japanese-language book published Wednesday.

Mochida used to play fullback for Keio University in Tokyo. In the book, his first, he lamented losing to rival Waseda University in the school championship semifinal on New Year's Day in 1977, his last match.

To contact the reporter on this story: Takahiko Hyuga in Tokyo at thyuga@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Marcus Wright at mwright115@bloomberg.net, Russell Ward, Darren Boey

©2017 Bloomberg L.P.