Eddie Jones ended his first post-match press conference as Australia Head Coach with an enraged outburst towards a journalist, after his side was defeated by South Africa.
This opening round match of the 2023 Rugby Championship saw the Springboks record an impressive 43-12 win over Jones’ Wallabies. Earlier in the week proceeding the match, Jones expressed his thoughts on South Africa resting a group of their top stars, in preparation for their clash with the All Blacks.
Springboks Hooker Malcolm Marx, locks Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager and backline players Faf de Klerk, Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole Mapimpi and Damian de Allende, were all rested for the match with Australia. This prompted Jones to say; “What I am hoping for is their best team. I do not want to take down a half-baked Springboks side.”
Following the match, Jones was asked “Eddie, you expressed your disappointment in the week that you weren’t playing the first-choice Springboks side. Is that a bit of a relief now?” This provoked the outburst from Jones, in which he told the reporter; “show some respect’, and “you don’t have to be a smart arse”.
“South Africans are good at winning. You don’t have to be a smart arse mate,” Jones said in retort to the question.
“We were well and truly beaten today by a Springboks side that old mate is calling the B-team, right? I never knew there was a Springboks side that was called the B-team.”
The press conference was ended following Jones’ comments, but the 63-year-old continued to berate the reporter whilst he left the media room.
“You don’t have to be a smart arse, mate. You should have more respect, mate. I never said that, mate.
“I said we always want to play the best. Show some respect.”
Jones’ Rugby World Cup preparations have gone off to a slow start, yet he has the opportunity to secure his first win as Wallabies Head Coach this coming weekend. Australia host Argentina in round two of The 2023 Rugby Championship this Saturday, with Los Pumas eager to get off the mark after their heavy defeat to the All Blacks last weekend.
Argentina were well beaten in similar fettle to Australia, as they could not contain a re-invigorated New Zealand side. The All Blacks ran out a 41-12 triumph over Argentina in Mendoza, and silenced any underdog expectations after Argentina recorded two Rugby Championship victories over New Zealand in the past three years.
The post “Don’t Be A Smart A****, Mate” – Eddie Jones Press Conference Outburst As First Wallabies Match Ends In Defeat to Springboks appeared first on Ruck.
