Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones was forced to apologise after making a bizarre remark about racism that has invited renewed scrutiny of his England regime.
Jones was asked at a press conference on Thursday afternoon about his meditation practises having revealed in June last year that he engages in mindfulness as part of his early morning routine.
In a clumsy response that was intended as a joke and was delivered with a smile, Jones said: “I don’t think I’ve ever spoken about meditation.
“You must be thinking about someone else… Maybe another half-Asian person… Maybe we all look the same.”
Those assembled in the room were aghast at the ill-advised comment despite its context as a joke.
A private apology was later sought by the reporter who posed the question and Jones duly said sorry, shaking hands.
An English Rugby Football Union spokesman said: “Eddie made an off-the-cuff comment during the press conference which was not intended to cause any offence.
“He has subsequently spoken to the journalist privately explaining this and apologised which was accepted.”
Jones has taken the unprecedented step of fronting England media access every day, breaking with the protocol of placing his entire coaching team on circulation for interviews.
The Australian has been in a combative mood since his appearances first began last Thursday and a week later he continued to adopt a bellicose tone.
Jones’ crass joke is the latest twist in a Six Nations that has seen his methods place his four-year stewardship under pressure.
(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
His use of the word “brutal” caused upset in France due to its connotations with violence when translated and it hardly helped England’s cause as they left Paris with a comprehensive 24-17 defeat.
A week later he described Scotland as a “niggly” team due to the tactics they employed to unsettle the English at Murrayfield.
Former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll this week described Jones as a “scaremonger” who over-steps the mark, although he added that he is always fascinated by his rhetoric.
England face Ireland at Twickenham on Sunday needing victory to remain in title contention.
Springs Old Boy
Roar Rookie
Many years ago at School we had 2 black boys in the class - both sons of neighbouring country's Cabinet Ministers - the one kid stumbled and bumped into a desk on the way to get his book marked by the teacher - there was a comment " you clumsy K ..." - we were all shocked and the Teacher was incensed - demanding to know who had said it - sheepishly the other black boy stood to own up - after a lecture on racism everyone had a good laugh ...
Springs Old Boy
Roar Rookie
Not a half Asian?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Accusing somebody of being racist is also race related...
AndyS
Guest
Sounds like it should have been Eddie asking the press about safeguarding the mental welfare of others, not the other way around...
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Do you feel better now? Caroline Flack was a presenter of a god-awful "reality" show on UK telly. She got into trouble for hitting her boyfriend and was due to front court in the near future on a charge related to that. She took her own life last week. The UK press had been printing lots of nasty stuff about her and she felt she'd been hung out to dry by her employer. It has been a very big, indeed unmissable story in the UK. If someone was going to ask a question about player welfare including a nod to mental health, then mentioning Flack in passing was a way to broaden the question's relevance for a UK audience - and that makes perfect sense if your a UK journalist in the business of getting the attention of UK readers/viewers. Your ignorance of Flack and the UK media is of no account in this story. Anyhow, you carry on being you, Mick. Eddie will carry on being himself, too. Mind you, if Ireland manage to knock over England tomorrow night, it might be a while before Eddie has a grin to show the world or even in the mirror to himself. But if I had to wager, I'd put a few pounds on England at home.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Prop-Ella Rose-Ella Salmon-Ella Umber-Ella The lesser known siblings!
AndyS
Guest
Personally, I'm just pleased to see that sports reporting has finally found its place as the soft sensitive underbelly of professional journalism, safe away from the viciousness and cynicism of war, crime, politics or the lifestyle pages.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I have never heard of Flack and I have no idea why Eddie should have an opinion on her. The fact the question was put by some unknown reporteress in a session traditionally dedicated to the "gotcha" on Sir Clive Woodward / Warren Gatland / Sir Graham / Sir Steve and Eddie, all rugby experts, guarantees Flack's relationship with rugby is tenuous at best. Mind you, she is a fully awesome winner for her amazing "gotcha" and for her powerful, refuse-to-be-dominated, equal pay demand that Eddie apologise for dissing her. In time it will dawn on her that a public apology in the progressive world is about as sincere as "Three cheers for the ref!" Someone up the page described Eddie Jones as "surly". Au contraire - Eddie was typically indifferent, imperious and mocking towards a nong holding a Cert 1 in Doingk Running Riting Along a Str8 Line, gifted to kiddies who know nothing much about anything but who broadcast their uneducated, ignorant opinions about everything and name it a "profession"! The smirk from Eddie was well deserved. It's good to be the King. ;)
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Oooooh - a bit too obtuse for me, Jeznez!
jeznez
Roar Guru
Too bloody right Chook. Why are our Aussie coaches not learning to be funny the way our Kiwi and Saffa compadres are?
ShaghaiDoc
Roar Rookie
Now that is offensive and has no place here. How do you know that this guy doesn't have some disease causing the weight gain or that he feels depressed about his size. Your comments could trigger him.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
I've checked the reports again TWAS. You're right - I'm wrong. I was influenced by another report which referred to a "bizarre race-related comment" which is ambiguous. All the other reports agree with you, as I now also agree.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Yep, jeznez... and tbh I blame RA for this. Our coaches need better training, especially when it comes to humour :silly:
jeznez
Roar Guru
Siblings Prop, Rose, Salmon and Umber?
jeznez
Roar Guru
I hope my concern for the poor dears has been coming through in my posts.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I know of a couple of blokes, all brothers, who have shamelessly bathed in Eddie's reflected glory for the whole of their adult lives, with "I was at Matraville High with Eddie Jones, you know." The fat eldest Ella brother used remind us of that - he was known to follow up with "... and Lloyd Walker. He played for the Wallabies you know, he was Aboriginal."
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I undertook torture training to forget his stint as Reds coach so glad they don’t mention that
concerned supporter
Roar Rookie
Doesn't anyone remember the original Planet of the Apes 1968 when Dr Zira says to Charlton Heston, ''You humans all look the same, you are so ugly"
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Reporters were aghast Jez? Well, knock me down with a feather! The same people who build people up with outrageous flattery and then rip them to pieces so that they can get eyeballs and sell advertising demanded an apology. I will write to my MP and complain that they need their own safe space....
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Yes, if you are one you are entitled to take the mickey out of yourself. In fact, I here that Chinese people see us as all looking the same. Would there be the same manufactured outrage if a Chinese person said that about us?