Eddie Jones downplays incident with fan at Ellis Park

Eddie Jones has downplayed an incident with a number of South African supporters following England loss to South Africa in the first test between the sides in Johannesburg.

Jones also admitted England paid the penalty for a lack of discipline after letting slip a substantial first-half lead in the opening Test against South Africa.

The tourists surged 24-3 ahead at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Mike Brown, Elliot Daly and skipper Owen Farrell all scoring tries during a stunning opening quarter.

Yet the Springboks bounced back to turn the game around before the break, debutant winger Sibusiso Nkosi scoring two of the home side’s four tries as they went 29-27 up.

England were not helped by the sin-binning of Mako Vunipola in the second half and despite contrasting late scores from Maro Itoje and Jonny May, they slipped to a fourth successive Test defeat.

“It was a game we could have won,” Jones told Sky Sports.

“I’ve never seen a better 20 minutes by a visiting side at Ellis Park. Then our next 60 was a mixture of inconsistency and lack of discipline.

“We had a penalty count of 17-4 against us – it’s hard to win any Test match [with that]. I’m proud of the guys, but we need to fix that discipline.

“I select the players and we’ve got to try and change the behaviours of those players. Sometimes that’s not easy.

“We certainly conceded some easy tries – we struggled to get our spacing right. That’s something that we are working on and, at times, the South Africans attacked well.”

Five tries against the @Springboks, but discipline cost England today.

Here's what Eddie made of it: https://t.co/jjaOHD0xaI pic.twitter.com/voqhHNhtnA

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 9, 2018

In a frenetic first half, Brad Shields came on to make his international debut, the New Zealand-born back-rower – who qualifies for England through his parents – replacing Nick Isiekwe after 36 minutes.

Jones confirmed the substitution was simply a tactical move aimed at stemming the South African onslaught.

“We needed to change the momentum of the game – it was slipping away and we needed to change the momentum. The only way you can do that is by changing personnel,” he explained.

“We felt that bringing Brad Shields on in such an open game may help us defensively. We did change the momentum of the game, and had a chance to win it.”

Jones also downplayed an apparent incident with home supporters after the final whistle, adding: “They’ve always got plenty to say, especially when they win.”

When asked if he responded to what was said to him, the Australian said: “Of course I did, [but] that’s not for me to say.”

Jones was quizzed further and asked exactly what he had said, replying “that’s not for me to share with you. I’m sure it’s on a mobile phone somewhere in the world.”

He continued to laugh off the heckling for the remainder of the post-match press conference.

“I asked the fan where I can get a good bottle of Pinotage and I’m still waiting for the answer. If someone can help me out, please help me out. They told me to go find it myself,” Jones said.

“I wouldn’t worry about that. It was such a great game of rugby and you are worried about one little conversation in the tunnel about a bottle of red wine.”

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