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Eddie Jones moved to cool questions about his rivalry with Warren Gatland on Saturday by mentioning their regular dates for a curry dinner during the Six Nations. Meanwhile, Wales’ Kiwi-born coach was adding a fistful of spice.
Their public exchanges have been more butter chicken than vindaloo in the past few years, although Jones famously told Gatland to “enjoy the third – fourth play off” as Wales lost a semifinal four years ago and England advanced to the final two.
“Always got on well with Warren. We used to have a curry together when we were coaching the Six Nations but it’s a little bit different out here,” said Jones. “We’re in the middle of nowhere so it’s hard to find where you can get a curry.”
Jones was asked if he had a message for the Wales coach.
“Not really, mate. [He’s done] a good job. It’s been interesting. He brought some young players in and now has now gone back to more senior players.
“And Wales has gone back to a more Gatland style of rugby. [Former Wales coach Wayne Pivac] wanted to play that more really traditional New Zealand style. High kicking, high contest.”
Gatland, meanwhile, had two cracks at defining their relationship on Saturday – once in an official press conference, and again in a paid column for the UK Telegraph.
Unsurprisingly he went in harder in the latter with the most eye-opening passage being this, about the differences between the pair, which suggests Jones lacks loyalty.
“There is no doubt that Eddie is very experienced and savvy, and, with England, he had the luxury of coaching a team that had so many more resources and players available to him,” wrote Gatland.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland. (Photo by Ben Birchall/PA Images via Getty Images)
“We, in contrast, have had to fight for everything we have achieved and titles we have won, and that underdog mentality has been a positive for us: everything has been earned, nothing has been given to us.
“I am also a very loyal person in terms of my staff and my players. I am never going to throw someone under the bus. If you perform, I will back you.
“A big part of the success that I have had as coach is developing players over a period of time and creating an environment that they want to be part of.
“I am not sure Eddie has always had the same philosophy. He has a significant turnover in coaches and staff and can only presume that he demands really high standards and pushes people to limits they are not prepared to go to – and either they move on, or they are moved on.
“That is only me looking from the outside and talking to people who have worked with him in the past. Still, what you cannot deny is that he has had times in his career when he has been very successful and in demand and credit to him.
Wales’ Warren Gatland, and England’s Eddie Jones look on during the 6 Nations Launch in 2019. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Earlier in his piece Gatland told of a conversation that had waiting to enter a press conference to hype up a Six Nations season.
“Come on Eddie, don’t let me down, get out there and throw some grenades!” Gatland claims he said. “He turned to me with a smile and said: “I will wait for you to go first.”
On Saturday, Gtaland pulled the pin out of the grenade. All’s fair in love, war and international rugby.
“We both know that the pantomime knock-about not only creates interest in the game but the use of verbal grenades can also be used either to take the pressure off the players or send a message to them or the opposition,” wrote Gatland.
“I think when Eddie got the Wallabies job, part of his remit was to generate publicity for rugby union in Australia. Some of his recent feuds with the Australian media have created controversy and a lot of headlines, but the flip side is that he has got people talking about rugby in the country, people are engaged and interested in what is going on.
“He is also more than comfortable in taking the pressure away from his team and his players by having some verbals with the media to create headlines that protect his players.
“That is something we have in common. I am a great believer in the impact of sending subtle messages.”
Quite.
At his official press conference, Gatland made it clear that he has a lot of time for his under-pressure rival.
But asked if he had any sympathy for Jones – considering the hammering he’s received especially from former Wallabies – Gatland said “no”.
He later clarified: “That was a bit of a joke. As coaches we all come under pressure at times. It’s part of the job. In fairness to Eddie, he’s trying to take pressure off the players in terms of saying he’s responsible for the performances and results and saying they’re not good enough.
“I understand where he’s at. It’s a rebuilding process. He has made a number of changes and he’s got a young team going forward. I understand, I’ve been in those situations in the past. There’s no criticism that has been aimed at the players, it has all been aimed at Eddie.”
On a personal note, Gatland added: “It’s always been good. At press conferences often you get asked questions that are slightly twisted by the media that are out of context. I find his company really good. He’s engaging. It’s obvious he drives a lot of people pretty hard and it’s been part of his success in the past, and he’s going through that process at the moment.”