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Eddie Jones has tarnished his legacy in Australia because of comments made during the summer, says Michael Cheika
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Jones became head coach of his native Australia in 2001 and guided them to the World Cup final in 2003
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During the summer, Jones said the Australian media had an orchestrated campaign against his side
Michael Cheika has accused Eddie Jones of “vitriol” against his own country and says the England coach is tarnishing his legacy in Australia.
Jones became head coach of his native Australia in 2001 and guided them to the World Cup final in 2003.
During this summer’s series down under, Jones said the Australian media had an orchestrated campaign against his side.
“There was a lot of vitriol about Australia, his home nation,” said Cheika of England head coach Jones’ verbal sparring during the summer tour of Australia.
“It’s where he coached, where the opportunities were given to him to grow up as a coach, and play.
“Personally if you’re looking to leave a legacy somewhere, you don’t want to hit back at it when you leave.”
Cheika went on to suggest Jones had previously pushed the verbal jousting too far.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure what’s gone on after Saturday, but I’m sure he’ll be into it,” said Cheika, of Jones’ mind games.
“In June I sort of gave the opportunity to see how a former Australian would deal with it. It’s a bit like the goal-scorer who scores against his old team, you know?
“I suppose it’s always difficult when you go back into a tournament where you’re playing teams you’ve coached before.
“And you don’t really know how to play it, do you stay reserved or do you go out there and get stuck into them? I know what I do, even in a country like Ireland when I’m there where I coached for many years.
“I didn’t coach the national team there, but that’s the choice he wants to make, and he thinks is best for his team.”
