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'Clowns' - Eddie Jones again clashes with fans, this time in NZ

Eddie Jones brands fans in New Zealand's southern most city as 'clowns'

Eddie Jones had another confrontation with fans, this time following the Wallabies’ loss to the All Blacks in Dunedin over the weekend.

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A 79th minute penalty goal to New Zealand broke Wallaby hearts as Australia went down 23-20. Tries to Marika Koroibete and Tom Hooper in the opening ten minutes gave the Wallabies a 17-3 lead into the break before the home side hit back via debutants Shaun Stevenson and Samipeni Finau to take the lead into the final quarter.

Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper levelled the game with seven minutes to go, only for Mo’unga’s late strike to give the hosts the win.

Jones blasted a group of local fans as ‘clowns’ following the narrow loss.

In an interview with Sky Sports NZ Jeff Wilson after the game, Jones blasted the fans standing behind him in the stands as the interview was conducted.

“These clowns over here, I’m going to go and have a chat with them,” Jones railed. “They’re not good supporters and they should behave better than that.

“It’s quite disrespectful. It’s disappointing. Dunedin is a good rugby city. You shouldn’t have clown like that behaving like that.”

Jones made headlines today as he left long-time Australia captain Michael Hooper out of his 33-man squad for the World Cup. Flanker Hooper – the Wallabies’ fourth most capped player with 125 appearances – missed his country’s last three Tests after picking up a calf injury in training.

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Centre Len Ikitau, who suffered a broken shoulder in last month’s defeat to Argentina, and Quade Cooper are other notable absentees.

The former England boss selected Will Skelton as captain and included uncapped trio Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Jorgensen and Blake Schoupp in a group containing 25 World Cup debutants.

additional reporting PA

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Comments

6 Comments
P
Phil 469 days ago

Eddie Jones is a grifter simple as that, he talks a good game, he has achieved some stunning singular results but he has baffled me sometimes. If you don't agree with him you no nothing about rugby seems to be his go to defence.

C
Christ 469 days ago

when your team loose on the field, Eddie shifted the focus onto the fans off the field. You are the clown Eddie

O
Orion 470 days ago

You come to New Zealand and complain when we are just supporting our team and trying to help them to the win. Do you want to play in an empty stadium Eddie?

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Hellhound 2 hours ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

Rassie has done very well with the Boks. The well will certainly not dry up soon. The amount of young talent coming through, that don't even stand a chance of making it in before 2027, is just absolutely amazing.


However, Rassie has proven to be a rugby genius. He will never rest on his laurels. It's why he keeps evolving tactics, keeping everyone on their toes. He doesn't underestimate any team. He is very aware of just how close the top teams is.


There will be no complacency not will he relax with his main stars. He is very astute, knowing that his team is getting older and thus giving the younger players much more playtime than what any other coach would do.


By the time the 2027 WC comes around, he will be prepared to defend his title and he knows one bad day will end a triple WC crown. Competition is that close. The Boks are in transition, even though it doesn't look like it.


After the 2027 WC, most of the double (possible triple) WC champs players will become unavailable due to retirement from international rugby. Rassie is already preparing the replacements, getting caps under their belts.


The top teams is just too close to underestimate and no Bok will be allowed to get complacent. Although they are by far the current most successful team and clearly the best by miles, they are not undefeatable.


Very tough to beat yes, but they can lose on the day. I am not worried. The youngsters by 2027 WC will be experienced with lots of years ahead and that should be a warning to the rest of the pack biting at their heels. Love them or hate them, but you have to admire the Boks. They truely deserve to be top dogs currently.

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