Australia Head Coach Eddie Jones has hit back on another reporter’s question during his short time in charge, as Jones’ second stint with the Wallabies is not starting off as planned.
Australia have taken back-to-back defeats to South Africa and Argentina in the 2023 Rugby Championship, ahead of this weekend’s Bledisloe Cup match against the All Blacks. There is a real possibility that Australia are heading towards a winless Rugby Championship, as preparations for the 2023 Rugby World Cup have taken a set-back, and New Zealand impressed with a 35-20 win over the ‘Boks.
In a recent media session, Jones instructed a reporter to not put words in his mouth, as he sternly interjected a statement regarding whether he cares about the Wallabies fans.
Reporter – “Should fans… and I dare not say you don’t care what the fans have to say…”
Jones – “I do care. Don’t put words in my mouth please. Please don’t put words in my mouth.”
Reporter – “I won’t do. Do you think that people should give those guys a bit more leeway at the moment, because they are coming back to their best and they needed to have more minutes under their belt before a World Cup campaign.”
Jones – “Well, that would appear to be the obvious, mate. So, I’m happy to talk to those fans, face to face if so be. Let’s have a fan forum, happy to answer it.
“But you know, anyone who’s coming back from a long term injury needs time. That’s the most obvious and the most sensible way to look at any player. And particularly, from a serious injury like an Achille’s tendon an ACL, they need time to train, they need time to get their feeling of the game back, their timing of the game back, and as I said, I’ve got no doubt they’ll be at their best for the world cup.”
Albeit, this reaction was less explosive than Jones’ outburst from a fortnight ago, which saw the 63-year-old confront a South African journalist following the Wallabies’ defeat to the Springboks. In the proceeding week of the clash with South Africa, Jones vocalised his disappointment of playing against a ‘half-baked’, Springboks side, with 10 key players rested for the following weekend’s match with New Zealand.
Jones was asked a question regarding his relief, that Australia had only played the South African ‘B team’. This prompted an outburst from Jones, as he called out a reporter for being a ‘smart arse’, and told him to ‘show some respect’, before leaving the press conference event.