From Tasmania to Twickenham, it’s been open season on Eddie Jones this week as the rugby family has piled in to lambast the man who presided over Australia’s great World Cup calamity.
In Britain, old sparring partner Clive Woodward slammed Jones’s “pathetic” comments after quitting his Wallabies’ job while former England player Ugo Monye smelled a “stink” surrounding his exit.
“In the last year, Eddie has lost the English rugby public and then the Australian rugby public in eight games. That’s a remarkable skill,” noted Monye, while back in Australia, the social media hordes were slamming him as everything from “an embarrassment” to “a coward”.
So what did Jones make of it all as he sped off to the UK for an invitational coaching gig with the Barbarians to face Wales in Cardiff?
Er, not a lot.
“I don’t have any regrets. I don’t know what’s being said, I don’t really care … Who cares?” was his bullish response at a news conference on Wednesday, complete with familiar grin and rhinoceros hide.
What, no regrets about leaving the job with the observation “sometimes you have to eat s*** for others to eat caviar further down the track.”? “No”, Jones asserted.
Mind, he still sounded happy to find a Welsh oasis where he could escape the flak.
“I was having breakfast with my wife this morning in a cafe in Cardiff, and she said ‘the Welsh people are nice to you, aren’t they?’” he noted.
That’s probably because he wasn’t coaching England, Jones told her.
His performance at his first public appearance since quitting had been classic Eddie – no regrets, unrepentant, outspoken, comical and highly diverting.
That calamitous 10-month reign with the Wallabies? Not his fault, just “20 years of unsuccessful (Australian) rugby because something’s wrong in the system.”
Already, Australian rugby is in his rear-view mirror. Could he end up working for Japan rugby again? “I don’t know mate, you’ll have to ask the Sydney Morning Herald, they seem to know more than me. Can we get them on the line?”
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones speaks to the media during a Rugby Australia press conference at Coogee Oval on October 17, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
All he wanted to do, he said, was “coach a team where you got the opportunity to maximise the resources.” And that wasn’t Rugby Australia, evidently. “I don’t want to work for someone like that again,” he confirmed.
Of course, everything we know about the irrepressible Jones is that he’ll always bounce back somewhere.
First stop, Cardiff this Saturday, coaching 10 Wallabies, including eight who flopped with him at the World Cup, against a Wales team who ended their World Cup dream in Lyon.
Perfect theatrical revenge for Jones then? “No, Barbarians is not a revengeful team. It’s an enjoyment team,” he insisted.
On his team is Michael Hooper, the 125-cap legend he discarded for the World Cup and who he this week described as “not the right role model” for Australia.
Er, an awkward reunion perhaps? “Well, it’s a non-issue, mate. It’s not an issue for me,” said Jones.
“This game is not a distraction (for me). It’s a game of rugby that’s a celebration of the game, 50,000 people at the stadium to play against Wales. To be involved is fantastic.”
And, once again, even as he ploughs on through controversy, Jones is, as ever, still in the glare of the spotlight.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
I am not sold on centralization NZ style and not sure that Oz view centralization as the Irish way. Munster can do what they want only sorted their academy when the locals complained they were taking Leinster castoffs. Yes players will be helped to move but lots of players wont move and will be happy being a squad player living at home.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
:laughing: We do try our best for our Aussie Rugby brothers… :stoked:
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
I guess we don’t have to chase League wingers anymore- thanks good job. God bless you Kiwis always looking after RA and the Wallabies.
NotKev
Roar Rookie
Hey Hey ... leave out our Capey twang pls!!! At least it sounds like English lol!!!!!!!!! Sorry JN, couldnt resist a dig at a Gautie!!
Tim J
Roar Rookie
G’day K.F.T.D, here is some more good news - the kiwis defeated the Kangaroos 30-0 A massive result for NZ league following on from the Warriors great season… :happy:
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Appreciate that Ken, I like your references in your post… :thumbup:
Tim J
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :thumbup:
Passit2me
Roar Rookie
I suspect part of it was in what Eddie said in his Aussie press conference after the WC. RA want centralisation. Eddie wanted Alignment, but didn’t believe in Centralisation. There are a number of reasons he could have had that view.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
A lot of new faces too.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Here’s some good news - the Reds beat the Wild Knights and it is reported in the Brisbane Courier Mail. An article in a newspaper- rare!!
Tom G
Roar Rookie
You could replace McLennan with a literal hamster.. couldn’t be worse
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Articles on Eddie Jones need to stop now please. For the good of Australian rugby we need to move on quickly. Focus on the positives, Jones's reign was a total disaster, he was shocking and did so much harm to the brand and rugby in Australia. Forget him, don't give gim any more airplay and focus on positives please.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
The question I have that isn’t really covered is what plan did Eddie have for fixing the off field issues that the RA didn’t or couldn’t bring in. We know there are issues with the current system but I am curious what the plan was. Easy to say do this or do that but if the RA can’t do things it might be worse than we believe. Yes Eddie was the bad front man but the problems aren’t fixed with him gone (as they haven’t been with all the other people who left who were the problem
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
What was your real agenda Eddie ?? You convinced a rugby non descript in RAs CEO that you could rescue The Wallabies ..So you got Rennie turffed ...Ok you welcome to disagrèe with me . No ways on this planet did you not have an input into Rennies dismissal....Was it just cash ..That's a pretty powerful incentive...Things are still not adding up and the only one left standing is McClelland ..So maybe time to ask the uncomfortable questions from him..Old saying ...If it doesnt add up ..it doesnt add up....Follow the money.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Even Elon Musk retains a bit of the Jozi accent ..But Harry has completely lost his Capey twang ....Im still hovering to have a go at him tho..Watch this space :laughing:
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Great post Mad. “ Jones knew what he was getting into when he accepted the job,” But in a world that tolerates shifting narratives- we get what we settle for.(Thelma and Louise). Personally I prefer - I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not gunna take it anymore. Peter Finch in Network.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes, he has a rare literary gift. (Shame about his accent though. :silly: Mid-Atlantic? )
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Incidentally Ken comparing me to Harry is yes very flattering ..But he is next level..I mean this dude sitting in a World cup final with Bok kids on his lap ….Also I am in awe of his writing skills …Sometimes think its so good , so esoteric that sadly thats the reason its probably lost on many ….Every odd year I try remind Roarers to reread one of his early articles on the SS Mendi …It was that article that hooked me up here ..sensational stuff ..
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Great to hear JN. Just had dinner tonight with a couple of friends- one a SA expat. She doesn’t follow rugby but can see, as I do, how encouraging such a victory can be for a nation with complex challenges. Enjoy boet.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Wow!