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'Empty ****ing line' - Ex Wallaby demands answers from Eddie Jones

By PA
Eddie Jones, Head Coach of Australia, looks on at full-time following the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Australia and Fiji at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on September 17, 2023 in Saint-Etienne, France. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Former Australia international Drew Mitchell has fired a verbal volley at Eddie Jones as the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup fate hangs in the balance.

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Defeat against Wales in Lyon on Sunday would signal Australia’s first pool-stage exit during the tournament’s 36-year history.

Their 22-15 loss to Fiji has left them at the point of no return and Mitchell, who won 71 caps and played in three World Cups, believes that head coach and former England boss Jones needs to provide some answers.

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“Let’s not take away from the fact that Fiji played really well. But let’s also not take away from the fact that we shouldn’t have lost to Fiji,” Mitchell told The Good, The Bad and The Rugby Australia podcast.

“Eddie sits there and goes, ‘yeah, it’s my fault. I take full responsibility’. What does that mean, though?

“Like, he doesn’t get dropped this week. He’s not not coaching next week. It’s just like an empty line in a press conference.

“You’ve made some glaring decisions around Quade (Cooper), around Michael Hooper. Captaincy, there are six captains in seven weeks.

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“Explain some of these decisions to us, because as fans we are all sitting here scratching our heads.

“A lot of the time we can sit there and defend Eddie or the Wallabies because we can understand logic in some of these decisions.

“But there is none of it, and he is sat there and not actually giving any explanation as to why Quade is not there, why Michael Hooper is not there?

“Why have you not selected Michael Hooper? Quade Cooper? Come out and actually tell us as fans. Why have you not picked these guys? Because now we are seeing the result of you not picking some of these guys.”

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Australia’s players, meanwhile, are continuing their preparations in Saint-Etienne for the Wales game.

And Wallabies scrum coach Neal Hatley told reporters: “I have worked with him (Eddie Jones) for five years, and he is sharp every day.

“He leaves no stone unturned. My first message came through at about 04.30 this morning. That is how he works.

“Eddie has had a much closer look at where he believes Australian rugby is and what it needs to move forwards. I’ve got a huge amount of faith in the plan he puts up.”

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Comments

10 Comments
B
Bob Marler 665 days ago

Come now Drew. Did you really think that EJ was going to win (or be competitive) at the WC with Aus with a turnaround of a matter of months?


The real problem here is Australia Rugby. They appointed EJ with the World Cup on their doorstep. And they will replace EJ after all this noise. And then back to square one again. There’s no continuity or apparent forward thinking here at all.


Blame the coach all you like. But how about you get stuck into the real problem (and solution).

P
Poe 665 days ago

Maybe he expected less utter bs?

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OJohn 665 days ago

They won't be replacing Eddie Jones. Apart from Ewen McKenzie who would be better ?

D
DM 665 days ago

Well said Drew... Respect davej

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AA 666 days ago

Well. According to numerous press journos Eddie is one of the top coaches in the world .

Do they ever look at results in order to make that statement .

He has been a joke to everyone involved .

Japan beating S africa was long ago .

Aussies 2003 even longer.

Read the results you journos before making such ridiculous claims about Eddies credentials

O
OJohn 665 days ago

He's the most successful coach in World Cup history. Sorry to prick your bubble.

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DarstedlyDan 37 minutes ago
New Zealanders may not understand, but in France Test rugby is the 'B movie'

Italy have a top 14 issue too, that’s true. I doubt SA are overly pleased by that, although it’s countered somewhat by the fact they would expect to thrash them anyway, so perhaps are not that bothered.


The BIL teams are (aside from Ireland) A/B teams - still with many A team players. I would rather the England team touring Argentina be playing the ABs than this French one.


France could have reduced the complaints and the grounds for such if they had still picked the best team from those eligible/available. But they haven’t even done that. This, plus the playing of silly b@ggers with team selection over the three tests is just a big middle finger to the ABs and the NZ rugby public.


One of the key reasons this is an issue is the revenue sharing one. Home teams keep the ticket revenues. If the July tours are devalued to development larks then the crowds will not show up (why go watch teams featuring names you’ve never heard of?). This costs the SH unions. The NH unions on the other hand get the advantage of bums on seats from full strength SH teams touring in November. If the NH doesn’t want to play ball by touring full strength, then pay up and share gate receipts. That would be fair, and would reduce the grounds for complaint from the south. This has been suggested, but the NH unions want their cake and eat it too. And now, apparently, we are not even allowed to complain about it?


Finally - no one is expecting France to do things the way NZ or SA do. We oddly don’t really mind that it probably makes them less successful at RWC than they would otherwise have been. But a bit of willingness to find a solution other than “lump it, we’re French” would go a looonnng way.

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