The blood is up. The anger, seeping through my bones as I’m writing this. Eddie Jones has just been announced as head coach of Japan, with a press conference set to happen at 7:30pm AEDT. That’s going to be fun.
It’s fair to take the mickey out of journos and commentators. It comes with the turf, we throw out the news stories, we offer our analysis and opinions on the state of the game, put ourselves out there in the public arena. Every word can be scrutinized, misconstrued, ‘um, actually-ed’ to the nth degree.
But the vast majority of rugby journos I’ve interacted with online, come across in person are, at their core, fans. Right now, it is hard to separate the professional from the rugby fan. I have an obligation to provide you with sport coverage on rugby, yet rugby and I, we’re not on good terms right now as I write this.
Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has lost the trust of his home nation. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Everyone has got their opinions on Eddie in 2023, and you’re not likely to get 50 per cent agreement on anything to do with him, and I don’t expect everyone to agree with me. Some of you may be tired of talking about him in general. If so, probably stop reading now. But if you’re furious with the actions of our former coach and wish to choose violence, read on.
Let me tell you what I think.
Eddie Jones was someone I looked up to. First memories at the age of ten, in 2003, at school, we got the chance to meet him. This was the man leading Australia to a World Cup title defence, just a few weeks from now. He walked across the rugby pitch towards us, garbed head to toe in the classic Wallabies tracksuit regalia. He hadn’t even said anything yet, but that was it. Rugby fan for life.
Everyone has that moment, the moment when you went from being interested in rugby to being a fan of rugby.
For international rugby fans reading this (and some indeed, may take pleasure in knowing this, I don’t really care at this point), I think I speak for many when I say Aussie rugby fans are really hurting right now.
The chipping away of our faith in the jersey as results have continued to slide over the last two decades, the continued underperformance of our lower level sides, the constant negative discussion that seems to have seeped into the bones of the sport here.
But now those feelings have been joined by two, raw feelings: anger at the way things have played out at the hands of those in charge, and that empty feeling we dread, to dare ourselves to question: is supporting this sport worth it?
At the end of the day, you follow the sport because it’s fun, it’s something that brings your life joy, and brings people together. What do you do if this supposed sport brings you nothing but that sad, empty feeling?
Why these new feelings? Because, is it worth it if the bloke who was supposed to coach our side not only leaves, but it turns out the rumours of him seeking new pastures turned out to be true and he straight up lied to our faces, on multiple occasions?
Many fans have already answered that question: no it isn’t, as they’ve walked away from the national side of our game and returned to clubland, or worse, seeked other sports to enjoy.
Wallabies captain Will Skelton speaks to the squad after their World Cup loss to Wales. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
You can’t, and shouldn’t, get angry at the players. Their passion for the sport is so intense they’ve made a professional career out of it. They’re not responsible for the years of failure, only for what happens on a pitch.
I can accept losing. God knows, we’re used to being second best. You can accept when you’ve been beaten by a better side. Right now, we have a side that is struggling.
I can’t accept being treated with contempt. Hamish and Eddie did their song and dance in the media, then left. Guys, you got off lightly.
Some may say, dude let it go. Eddie and Rugby Australia, legally, have resolved the issue. They’ve parted ways, mutually agreed to end their contract. Legally, Eddie has done nothing wrong by doing that then getting a job with Japan.
Yeah, but just because your contract says you can do that, and that doesn’t mean you’re not an arsehole. Bill Burr has a great line from one of his comedy shows: “That’s what the law says. Doesn’t make it right.”
Eddie may be stupid enough to fall back on the rhetoric that this issue is legally resolved. The cold hard reality is that this is going to be something Australian rugby fans will take a long time to recover from – and it was his decisions, plus the decisions of now departed folks at Rugby Australia, that caused it.
They may call it the ‘smash and grab’ campaign, it was an all or nothing play. You lost, and now you have to accept the consequences of that.
Who is going to trust Eddie Jones at his word now?
Eddie, if you ever find yourself in Australia again, maybe anywhere where there are rugby fans again, don’t expect it to be a welcome reception. Once you lose trust, loyalty, don’t expect it to be won back easily, if ever.
Us rugby fans are a stubborn bunch. The fact that a random bloke who was on the beers at the SCG called you a traitor, and he’s now seen as the sane person in this situation, really shows how cooked this situation is.
I’m calling it, this is rock bottom. We may lose more Test matches to more countries, lose ten more Bledisloe Cups, I don’t care. We’ve dealt with that before, we can deal with it again. The pain of losing is an old friend at this point.
The only positive for Australia out of this mess is that, in front of the rugby world, we were humiliated to the point where we all collectively recognise that action needs to be taken to fix our sport. Now. Acknowledging the blatantly obvious and seeking to change it is a powerful motivator, and weapon, to have.
This is the lowest point for Australian rugby, because at least with the years of declining results, it was honest about where we are.
We weren’t taken for a ride, had smoke blown up our arses, we weren’t lied to by Eddie Jones.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Are you claiming to be a journalist? An appointment in December is proof that he was interviewed by a head hunter in August because of his application for the role? I am open to that being the case, and it may well be proven in due course. However it is only one of many potential explanations of events at this time. Get over it or consider a new career.
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
He received a briefing about the Japan coaching job before the World Cup. No interview. So at what stage did Eddie then pick up the phone and tell JRFU that he was a potential candidate ? When did he say "actually now you mention it I'd be interested in the job ?" You can’t really blame Eddie Well you can't blame him for rising interest rates, or El Nino - but the Wallabies performance at the RWC? You can blame him for that.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Agree with your point that Australian rugby, Brumbies and Aussie 7 women excepted, have lost the respect of the rugby world and their opponents. And fair enough. Getting respect back is step one and starts with good showings from all 5 SR teams. No they aren't going to win all their matches or even the majority of them against non Aus sides, but they can start by winning at least half at home and one away through the season.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Borthwick was only saved in his job by having George Ford being able to kick loads of drop goals.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Butter it up or find excuses all you like to defend Eddie (I can’t believe you’re doing that) but nah I’m pretty sure it was 100% Eddie’s own fault for getting sacked by ENG and AUS. Those two unions haven’t gotten their decisions wrong and would have been a through process. It’s elite sport and results speak for themselves. Don’t deflect to other coaches as Ed had the reigns and needs to own his own results for a change. 2023 at many levels was a complete cluster fk and all from Ed’s decision making.
Chopper
Roar Rookie
I would like to think most astute people knew when Eddie Jones was appointed it was going to end in tears. From his days playing for Randwick to now I have never heard a good word said about the man. It just goes to show how ignorant the people were who appointed him.
Qualify
Roar Rookie
Same here. But in the long run I think it's better this way, a quarter or semi under Rennie might have just papered over the cracks and would probably have been deemed good enough. Now, this way, the rot is completely exposed. A complete overhaul is needed.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
People like to think it was having Henry be coach for two WCs that got them the WC and that Hansen carrying on what Henry did that made it all work. Why was Foster a failure, simply he was just like the NZ coaches before Henry who had not had a chance to fail at test level and come back to NZ with all that learning and experience outside the bubble and then tackle the NZ job with better players as a better coach. If Henry had of got the NZ job as he felt he deserved in the 1990s he would be like Wayne Smith who failed and never got another go. Rassie at SA same thing where he left the bubble and then came back, Chekia with Oz. JS was another example of being able to bring a different view of the breakdown that he had improved since leaving NZ for about 15 years. Its why Razor is a risk as yes he has had u20 experience with NZ but second year he finished 7th after maybe the other coaches adapting. Apart from that he has been in the smallest of bubbles in the South Island with the same players for a long time. How many OS experience does his team have. Even BaaBaa games he has done, he has had some really stinkers in there like Quinns in 2022.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
This year he was with a new team mainly playing against teams who were at their peak. It wasn't Eddie's fault they lost to Argentina and New Zealand when his tactics had got them into winning positions and the players couldn't see the game out. That was a left over from the Rennie era. The Last time Australia beat Wales that was played in a test window (meaning Wales could pick their OS players) was 2017. So its not like losing to them was a surprise. Unlike Eddie, Gats had plenty 10s who could run, kick, etc and were not one dimensional. He also had a pack that can secure ball and provider clean ball for his 9/10. 2017 was the last time Oz didn't lose to SA in SA. Last win in SA was 2011. Yes they should have won the game v Fiji but that is what happens when you have to pick from players who aren't even SR standard in the pack against 90% NH based pack that Fiji had. 2021 Summer was T2 nations, November was 3 from 3 with a win over SA and a 17pt win over Oz. 2022 was a 2-1 series win v Oz in Oz and 2/4 defeats in November but got a draw v NZ. Compare that to Bothwick who also was poor in the 6Ns. He lost to Fiji after having games v Ireland and Wales before that which is alot worse than losing to Argentina in their first game in November. Eddie had two games at home in his tenure and Oz has been terrible away from home. Even counting the out window tests v T1 Rennie got 3 wins, 1 draw out of 15 away games. Two games were outside the window which was Scotland and Wales. Other win was against Argentina. What people forget is of the 34 games Rennie played 18 were at home which is alot more than normal and he also benefited from playing RC teams who had to be away from home for the whole competition. People forget that France beat England 53 -10 in England this year, that shows there were issues with the England squad not simply Eddie was the problem.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Hmm. Maybe mate, maybe. I do remember being disappointed with the Wallabies' consistency under Rennìe, and like many others I tried to be positive about our chances under Jones, but he really should never have been there in the first place. Common decency AND common sense suggest that changing coaches and the entire support crew just a few short months before a WC was just not the right thing to do.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Ditto
cs
Roar Guru
Prickly I can get ... reacting in such a fashion are shoes I can't fit.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Well there’s still BIL if form is there and we don’t have a better option off the bench but yes likely wasted opportunity
Cec
Roar Rookie
Let’s not forget 0-7 vs tier 1 this year. And all that vitriol leading up until Eddie was shown the door at ENG. Nah I don’t think things were “fine” at all.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It comes across like it was Hamish trying to force it by trying to send the franchises broke needing to be bailed out. I could be wrong but now there's two franchises talking about changes in grant amounts and there was reports on RA revising grant amounts earlier in the year. I understood it as future grants but it may have been actually withholding amounts that were "agreed".
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I think it just tells us its a topic he's sensitive about. If I wanted to be coaching Australia, was unwanted and somebody called me a traitor for daring to get another good job I'd be pretty prickly too.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Brendan Good point. Hansen's failures in Wales are very comparable to Eddie's with regards to systemic failures. (that's first time on Roar I have seen someone drag up Hansen's Wales CV :happy: )
cs
Roar Guru
It struck me as very weird because the crowd calls out all sorts of stuff, often boorish or offensive, too often sitting within my earshot. Putting myself in his shoes, I'd have expected him, or anyone holding a position and profile comparable to his, to just keep on walking, ignoring the comment as pretty much par for the course, maintaining his dignity and leaving doubt as to whether he even heard what was, after all, an easily understood tribal view (however superficial and unwarranted in the round). Instead, Eddie chose to make a confronting spectacle of the moment, or was unable to restrain his emotions, stooping to the same level of boorishness. 'Come here and say it' was a faux schoolyard response, safely said in a context where this couldn't actually happen, and he achieved nothing except to amplify and indeed memorialise the heckle for posterity, or at least the
Roar. Counter-productive to be sure and weird by usual public standards, but what does it tell us? He's immature and unusually thin-skinned? He's a drama queen? He actually feels guilty of the charge? Assuming his response was genuine, the mind boggles at how deeply he must feel the worldwide trend for him to be booed on sight.Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Jones is blamed for one bad year and its a way to disregard all the good he did. Same with Chekia etc. It seems that when an Oz coach leaves its his fault for the failure, not the system, not the board. NZ didn’t think that a bad year for Hansen or Henry with Wales due to system issues or the board were reasons not to hire them. Henry was sacked by Wales following a record defeat to Ireland, doesn’t get mentioned when people talk about Henry. Why should one bad job be seen as who Jones is now.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
The SR coaches had a whole season.